[ad_1]
KILLINGS OF TUMANDOK. A police officer (photo right) takes a photograph of firearms allegedly
seized in one of the houses that they raided on December 30 in the city of Tapaz, Capiz province, where nine
Members of the Tumandok tribe were killed when they allegedly fought officers who served
a search warrant. One of the dead was Roy Giganto (left) shown in this file photo, who is president
of Tamunduk, an organization that opposes a wet project that would displace them from their ancestors
land on Panay Island. —PHOTOS BY KILUSANGMAGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS / REGIONAL POLICE OFFICE 6
MANILA, Philippines – The Makabayan bloc is seeking an investigation into the murder of nine leaders of an indigenous peoples (IP) community during an operation carried out by the police and the army two days before the new year.
Under House Resolution No. 1449, the Makabayan bloc said that “the blatant slaughter of poor and marginalized indigenous peoples is an indicator of the state of human rights in the country, as well as the seemingly rabid impunity. reign over our earth “.
The Makabayan block includes Bayan Muna Reps. Eufemia Cullamat, Carlos Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite; Gabriela Women’s Party representative. Arlene Brosas; ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro; and Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago |
“It is imperative that members of Congress, as representatives of our people, defend the rights of our people and control the excesses and violations committed against them,” the legislators said in the resolution.
“Laws and rules must serve the interests of our people and must not be a weapon to suppress and oppress their rights,” they added.
Citing reports, lawmakers said that in addition to the nine leaders killed, at least 18 other Tumandok were also arrested during the operations on December 30, 2020.
Reports show that the operation was led by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Although the relatives and witnesses affirm that the victims did not resist the arrest and that pieces of evidence such as firearms were placed, the police insist that it was a regular operation against loose weapons and that the victims – supposedly members of the New Army Popular – opened fire on law enforcement officers.
“The nine Tumandok killed were well-known indigenous leaders in their respective barangays. They were consistent in opposing militarization and rights violations in their communities, ”said lawmakers.
“They also actively participated in the resistance against land grabbing and the construction of the Jalaur mega dam in Calinog, Iloilo threatening to flood ancestral lands and displace thousands of indigenous peoples and peasants. For these reasons, the military labeled them in red, before the series of arrests and murders, ”they added.
EDV
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
