Arrest warrant out vs activists for 'kidnapping, illegal detention' of Lumads
DAVAO CITY (UPDATED 9:49 a.m.)— A local court ordered the arrest of 18 activists for the alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention of around 700 Lumad refugees at a church compound here.
The warrant of arrest was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 10 here last May 13 and released to media on Tuesday. Among the accused were United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) pastor Jurie Jaime and nuns Sr. Restita Miles and Sr. Stella Matutina. Other accused were:
- Sheena Duazo
- Hanimay Suazo
- Ryan Laniba
- Tony Salubre
- Jimboy Marciano
- Mary Annsapar
- Jaja Encosio
- Pedro Arnado
- Kerlan Fanagel
- Isidro Andao
- Kharlo Manalo
- Ruis Valle
- John Does
- Peter Does
- Mary Does
The arrest warrant stemmed from a case filed by the city prosecutor. No bail was recommended.
Early last year, Lumads, a term used to refer to indigenous peoples in Mindanao, from Davao del Norte and Bukidnon took refuge at the UCCP Haran compound due to militarization of their communities.
Valle, one of the accused, believes the Eastern Mindanao Command is behind the charges against them.
"The military, ang Eastern Mindanao Command, nagpapalabas sila ng propaganda na ang mga Lumad evacuees ay 'di daw mga evacuees kung hindi biktima ng trafficking," he said.
A spokesperson of Save Our Schools Network, Valle said the military is claiming that the Lumads are being used to discredit the military.
"Sila daw ay kinuha namin sa kanilang mga lugar para ilagay dito sa Davao City. Gagamitin daw namin sila para paninira daw laban sa militarization sa Lumad communities at attack on schools."
Valle said half of the Lumads already went back to their homes. Others, however, remain at the UCCP compound in fear of the continued military presence in their communities. According to him, they would only return home once President-elect Rodrigo Duterte assumes office as the incoming president vowed to remove military presence in communities and schools.
At a forum here Tuesday, a Lumad from the Higaonon tribe presented a 13-point peace agenda they want Duterte to pursue. One of their requests to the incoming chief executive is an end to the military detachments in civilian communities and the pull out of all military and paramilitary troops from their communities.
Editor's note: The latest update included the case where the arrest warrant was based.
- Latest
- Trending
