PNP says communists may be involved in the killing of nine sugar workers

October 22, 2018

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said communist rebels appear to have a hand in the killing of nine sugarcane workers on Saturday night in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

"All indications suggest the participation of the CPP/NPA in pursuit of their 'Oplan Bungkalan at Okupasyon', a grand design to occupy private and government property using their mass base and to create untoward incident then blame it on the government," said PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde in a statement on Monday.

Albayalde said " all angles should be explored in their investigation and to gather solid pieces of evidence that support an airtight case which should be filed in our courts as soon as possible."

The nine farmers were killed in their makeshift huts in Hacienda Nene, Purok Firetree, Brgy Bulanon, Sagay City.

Albyalde said in the wake of series of attacks by the New People's Army ( NPA), the PNP has alerted all units: to conduct counter-actions against stepped-up tactical offensive activities of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)/NPA dubbed 'Supermarket' aimed at collecting more firearms and equipment from police and military targets thru raids and ambuscades on soft targets and other targets of opportunity.

"We believe the increased activity by the CPP/NPA, in the recent series of hostilities, could also be part of its “saber-rattling” tactics to project an image of strength to highlight the forthcoming CPP-NPA anniversary in December 26, and to bolster its extortion activities in the forthcoming election season next year," he said. DMS