By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday assailed the police's killing of 14 Negros Oriental farmers, who were claimed to be involved with the communist insurgent groups. Senator Leila de Lima
(REUTERS / Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN) The detained lawmaker linked the deaths of the farmers to the supposed series of killings under the Duterte administration. "Araw-araw na patayan, malawakan at walang tigil na karahasan – mula sa mga makikipot na eskinita’t pasilyo ng mga lunsod at kabayanan, hanggang sa mga malalawak na patag at mga bukid ng kanayunan. Ito ang panibagong kaayusan ng ating lipunan. Nakalulungkot. Nakasusuklam. Nakagagalit," the staunch Duterte critic said in her dispatch. De Lima acknowledged that the decades-long struggle of farmers for genuine agrarian reform forced them "to take it upon themselves the fight for their own rights and legitimate interests," and resort to dialogues and protest actions to air the injustices and neglect of the government. "But painfully, their cries for help are reciprocated with bullets, assaults, and other forms of harassment – at the hands of State agents, no less – to the detriment of their own lives, limbs and dignity," she said. "Totoo nga sigurong sila’y 'nanlaban'. Nanlaban para sa kanilang karapatan. Nanlaban para sa kinabukasan ng kani-kanilang kabuhayan at mga pamilya. At nanlaban sa mapang-api at mapang-abusong sistemang pinapairal sa kasalukuyang administrasyon," De Lima said. The Philippine National Police stood by the legitimacy of its local units' simultaneous operations in Canlaon City, and in Manjuyod and Sta. Catalina towns in Negros Oriental that resulted in the deaths of the 14 individuals. Those killed allegedly fought it out with authorities who implemented search warrants issued by local courts for possible illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The Palace had also defended the police operations.