Lawyer of slain sugarcane workers shot dead in Kabankalan City

November 7, 2018

A lawyer who assisted the National Federation of Sugar Workers in the killing of nine workers last October 20 in Sagay City was shot dead in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday night.

Police said they got a report at 10:30 pm Benjamin Ramos Jr, 56, was shot by two unidentified men at Rojas st., Barangay 5, Kabankalan City. He was smoking a cigarette in front of a sari-sari store when a gunman on a motorcycle shot him several times.

The victim, who was shot three times at the right side of his back and left upper chest, was brought to Holy Mother of Mercy Kabankalan City Hospital. The suspects fled to an unknown direction, police said

Ramos was declared dead on arrival by Dr.Ruffa Vicete,the attending physician, said police.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, west Visayas police director, said in a statement they condemn the killing of Ramos.

"I have already ordered  for the immediate conduct of investigation to resolve this incident," said Bulalacao. "We assure the family of the victim of a thorough investigation to ensure the immediate arrest of the perpetrators so that  justice will be served to the victim and his family."

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he directed National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran to conduct a parallel fact-finding probe on the death of Ramos.

"I have directed the NBI to include this development in their investigation on the Sagay farmers' massacre and determine if there is any indication that the incident is related to the previous killings of the farmers," Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters.

Initial investigation showed Ramos is a founding member of the National Union of People's Lawyers and  serves as  a lawyer for suspected rebels and drug users, said Bulalacao. DMS