MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the wake of sugar farmers who were killed in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last Saturday, his former aide said Monday.

Former Special Assistant to the President and now senatorial aspirant Bong Go said the visit to the wake of the slain farmers is being ironed out. He said the President may be in the area before noon.

“Inaayos pa nila pero I’m sure bibisita sa wake,” Go said.

The victims, all members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers, were shot dead by armed men Saturday night after they reportedly tried to occupy private land in Hacienda Nene, Barangay Bulanon.

They were eating dinner inside the tents when they were shot by 5 to 6 gunmen, said Sagay police chief, Chief Insp. Roberto Mansueto.

Malacañang has condemned the killing of the sugar workers and called for “a thorough and impartial investigation on this dastardly act.”

• Palace orders 'thorough, impartial' investigation on Negros farmers' massacre

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, meanwhile, tagged the communist New People’s Army behind the massacre.