• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three farmers were killed in separate incidents allegedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island between Oct. 4 and 12, prompting renewed calls for an end to violence against civilians and justice for the victims’ families.
The victims were killed on Oct. 4, 5 and 12, according to accounts cited in a statement of Buklod Kapayapaan, condemning the incidents.
Buklod Kapayapaan is a nationwide federation of former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines who now stand for peace and development.
Two of the farmers were allegedly accused by the NPA of being government informants while the third was accused of rape.
The killings have also renewed concerns over the continuing impact of armed conflict on farming communities in Negros, where many rural families depend on sugarcane and other agricultural activities for their livelihood.
The statement called for an end to the killings and urged authorities to ensure truth and justice for the families of the slain farmers.
It also appealed for greater protection of civilians in conflict-affected communities, stressing that farmers should not become victims of violence or be condemned based solely on accusations made against them.
“The poor of Negros have suffered enough,” the statement said, calling on all armed groups to spare civilians and respect the lives and rights of farming communities. | GPB
