Two farmers reported to be members of a local chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, were injured in a shooting incident Saturday in Sitio Lumbia, Brgy. Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, acting provincial police director of Negros Occidental, identified the victims yesterday as Albert Franciso Jr.,17, and Ray Bustamante,19, both farm laborers.

Lirazan said Francisco was hit in a finger of his right hand, while Bustamante, who is now confined at a hospital in Kabankalan City, was hit in the face.

KMP-secretary general Felipe Levy Gelle, claimed in a statement, that the suspects are believed to be members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade and hired by an hacienda owner.

Gelle said the shooting continued even while the farmers were running away for safety. The farmers are allegedly members of the Paghiliusa sang Manguguma kag Mamumugon sa uma sa Brgy. Camansi (PAMACA), a local chapter of KMP-Negros, cultivating their farm lots in the disputed 133-hectare Hacienda Isabel.

Lirazan said they are investigating allegations that the incident was a shoot-out.

Asked about a developments in the incident, Supt. Salvador Dagoon, Kabankalan police chief, said they have no update yet on their investigations, although he reported that they recovered empty shells of undetermined caliber of firearms at the crime scene.

The incident took place more than two months after the New People's Army Armando Sumayang Command claimed responsibility for the raid and destruction of properties owned by Pablo “Jin” Sola in Hacienda Isabel of the barangay, with damage estimated at P600,000.

Gelle said PAMACA members were collectively farming and cultivating the farm lots on May 3, when they were fired upon by a group of armed men.

He claimed that the land has been subjected to acquisition and distribution under the land reform program since 2000, but the Sola heirs are resisting.*GPB

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