SEVEN farmers were allegedly shot and wounded by a group of security guards in Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Sept. 30. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – Seven farmers were allegedly shot and wounded by a group of security guards in Hacienda Escolastica, Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the victims were harvesting sugarcane when seven security guards hired by the sugarcane field owner arrived on board a white pickup truck.
A heated argument erupted and the suspects shot the victims with their service firearms and fired warning shots on the ground.
The victims were wounded and taken to a hospital. The suspects were arrested and brought to the Cadiz City Police Station for further investigation.
The suspects underwent paraffin tests and their firearms were turned over to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Provincial Forensic Unit for ballistic examination and gunpowder residue testing.
The Regional Civil Security Unit-6 is verifying the license of the security agency and conducting a comprehensive records check to determine the legality of the agency’s posting and deployment.
The PRO-NIR condemned the violent act that endangered members of the community.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, said police will never tolerate the unlawful use of firearms to intimidate or harm others.
Appropriate charges are being pursued.