Duterte: Solve Negros killings

MANILA, Philippines — Saying he was “appalled” by the killings in Negros Oriental, President Duterte has ordered the resolution of land disputes that led to the incidents.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the President issued the directive during the regional peace and order council meeting held in Dumaguete City on Monday.

“The President said he would be completely neutral, but the state would perform its obligation to investigate, prosecute and punish people who are involved in the killings in Negros Oriental,” Roque told a press briefing.

He said the President ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to resolve conflicting claims to untitled land.

“The President said everything else being equal, resolve these disputes in favor of the poor,’” Roque said.

It was not clear what killings were being referred to by Duterte when he made the remark.

Roque said Duterte also ordered the Department of Agrarian Reform to fast-track the distribution of land to farmer beneficiaries.

“The President said that in... Negros, the absence of land owned by farmers is one of the reasons why rebels join the insurgency,” Roque said.

He said most of the statements that Duterte issued during the meeting were “confidential.”