Marañon calls on militants to produce ‘Sagay 9’ witness

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday called on militant groups to produce the minor who witnessed the shooting in Sagay City that claimed the lives of nine National Federation of Sugar Workers farmers.

“Why are they hiding the witness?” he asked during Monday’s Al Cinco de Noviembre observance at the Provincial Capitol. “He is a vital witness.”

A kidnapping complaint was also earlier filed against Atty. Katherine Panguban of Karapatan-Negros.

The complainant was identified as Vic Pedaso, the father of the 14-yearold minor, who was among the eight witnesses to the incident. The minor had been under Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) custody but the father told Sagay City police he was unable to locate his son.

The alleged kidnapping was reported to Sagay City police on October 30.

The Philippine National Police is now preparing kidnapping charges against the militant group that took the minor from Sagay City DSWD custody.

The governor denied claims a cover-up was being conducted by the police

“The National Bureau of Investigation and

Commission on Human Rights are conducting their own independent investigations,” Marañon pointed out.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said, if there is a reason for him to say something significant, they should come forward.

“It is very important that they be heard so that justice will be given to the families of the victims,” Lacson said./