CHR team to probe murder of 9 Negros sugarcane farmers

A fact-finding team of the regional Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was dispatched to Sagay City to investigate massacre of nine sugarcane farm workers last Saturday night.

CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said that through its Region 6’s sub-office in Bacolod City, a team was formed to “find out the truth in the incident towards ascertaining accountabilities” for the death of the hapless farm workers in Negros Occidental.

The CHR condemned the attack and called on the government to promptly resolve the case and ensure justice for the victims and their families.

READ: 9 sugarcane workers gunned down in Negros Occidental

“We call on the government to assure that justice will be served but, at the same time, address the plight of farmers with respect to agrarian reform” De Guia said in a statement on Monday.

The CHR noted how “it is most disturbing that death becomes the price of claiming one’s rights.”

“This trend should not be allowed to continue anywhere and for any cause,” De Guia pointed out.