Lorenzana hits Colmenares for tagging military in Sagay shooting

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday scored former Bayan Rep. Neri Colmenares for tagging the military in the shooting of nine sugar farmers in Negros Occidental.

“By blaming government forces right off the bat, Mr. Colmenares shows us how desperate he and his comrades are in trying to discredit President Duterte’s administration and gain public attention,” he said in a statement.

Nine sugarcane workers, who were members of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers, were shot dead by armed men in a plantation in Sagay, Negros Occidental on Saturday night.

Colmenares blamed the armed forces for the incident, saying the military had earlier alleged that land cultivation areas maintained by the sugar workers and farmers in Negros were communal farms of communist rebels.

READ: Colmenares: Gov’t, AFP should be held responsible for Negros massacre

“As a lawyer, Mr. Colmenares should very well know that it is wrong and unfair to make allegations without any evidence. There is an ongoing investigation on the matter already and one should refrain from making unnecessary statements until the final report has been submitted,” Lorenzana said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Colmenares’ remarks were “irresponsible, sweeping, and malevolent statements that tend to malign the reputation of the AFP.”

He said AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. has sent 3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina to personally assess the needs of the families of the victims and provide financial assistance. /ee

READ: 9 sugarcane workers gunned down in Negros Occidental