Palace: Duterte ‘appalled’ by Negros Oriental killings

LATEST VICTIM Briccio Nuevo Jr. is remembered by his fellow church workers at Iglesia Filipina Independiente as
God-fearing and peace-loving. Nuevo, slain on May 4, is the latest victim of suspected members of an anti-communist hit squad in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte was “appalled” by the recent killings in Negros Oriental, but is taking a “neutral” stance in resolving the matter, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Nagparating po ng mensahe ang ating Presidente that he is appalled doon sa mga patayan na nangyayari sa Negros Oriental,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(The President sent a message that he is appalled over the killings in Negros Oriental.)

“Ang sinabi po ng Presidente is he will be completely neutral pero gagampanan ng estado ang kanyang obligasyon na imbestigahan, litisin at parusahan ang mga tao na pumapatay sa Negros Oriental,” he added.

(The President said he will be completely neutral but the government will fulfill its obligation to investigate, prosecute and punish persons behind the killings in Negros Oriental.)

Duterte met with the Central Visayas Peace and Order Council in Dumaguete City on Monday, but Roque said most of the things discussed were “confidential.”

Roque said the President also directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to resolve “conflicting claims to untitled land” said to be the root of the killings.

“Ang sabi po ng Presidente, everything else being equal, resolve these disputes in favor of the poor,” Roque said.

(The President said everything else being equal, resolve these disputes in favor of the poor.)

“Inatasan din ng Presidente ang DAR [Department of Agrarian Reform] na pabilisin din ang pagdidistribute ng lupa sa mga farmer beneficiaries dahil sinabi ni Presidente na sa probinsya ng Negros, talaga naman pong ang kawalan ng lupa ng magsasaka ay isang dahilan bakit nagaaklas ang mga rebelde,” he added.

(The President also tasked the DAR to hasten the distribution of land to farmer-beneficiaries because in the province of Negros, he believes the lack of farmlands is among the reasons why rebels strike.)

Only this month, lay minister Briccio Nuevo Jr. was shot by a man aboard a motorcycle while he was at a vulcanizing shop.

/MUF