NKE UP Cebu slams Negros Oriental killings

Members of the Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante UP Cebu hold a protest rally condemning the killings of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental. |Photo courtesy of Juan Cortes Roldan

CEBU CITY, Philippines — To commemorate the Kidapawan massacre in 2016, and condemn the killings of 14 farmers allegedly supporting the New People’s Army, student protestors staged a rally outside the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP–Cebu) on Monday, April 1, 2019. 

The Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante (NKE UP Cebu) organized an indignation protest against the multiple violent killings against farmers since the death of three farmers during a protest outside the National Food Authority (NFA) office in Kidapawan, North Cotabato. 

Aura Mae Agbay, NKE UP Cebu member, said that the killings in Negros Oriental last March 30, 2019, was only one of the times that farmers were killed by police forces, and that farmers would undoubtedly be slaughtered no matter who the president would be. 

“It is clear how the fascist state is maximizing their power to make instruments and tools of policies that they make to serve the interests of few,” Agbay said in a text message to Cebu Daily News Digital. 

Read more: Sinas: NegOr operation legit, killings ‘not a massacre’

She also condemned Negros’ Provincial Order No. 5 which acquires groups to secure a permit before conducting any activity, hindering the carrying out mercy missions to provide relief to the victims. 

Fourteen farmers were killed in the Synchronized Enhanced Managing of Police Operations (SEMPO), also known as Oplan Sauron, in Negros Oriental last March 30, 2019. 

Meanwhile, The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG – 7) will investigate the vandalism that occurred outside the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) last March 29, 2019. 

Read more:  UP Cebu condemns vandalism on campus facade

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO – 7) Chief Debold Sinas assigned the CIDG, in coordination with the UP Cebu administration to investigate the incident. 

Sinas ordered Police Colonel Royina Garma, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief, to coordinate with the CIDG to check the CCTV footage to find the culprit in the crime. 

In the UP Cebu’s official statement about the incident, they condemned the act, stating that the malicious vandalism was a clear attempt to scare and intimidate the students in the school. 

“We urge our police authorities to investigate the matter and keep those responsible into account.” /dbs