Rescue or raid? Conflicting narratives

A Mindanao journalist messaged -- “a raid of Lumads at the University of San Carlos (USC).”

An initial question immediately came to mind.

Was this USC “raid” related to the Department of National Defense-University of the Philippines issue about the military’s entry and presence in UP? Was the USC “raid” related to the alleged “chilling effect” the military wanted to create for protesters?

Then, more alerts/messages started pouring in.

“PRO-7 along with the DSWD ha(s) entered the USC Talamban Campus for a supposed rescue operation for the Lumad children situated inside. These Lumad evacuees have taken up residence in USC TC’s retreat house since March last year.”

A joint statement from of SVD Philippines Southern Province Provincial, Fr. Rogelio Bag-ao and University of San Carlos President Fr. Narciso Cellan Jr. presented facts to clarify the serious concern about the “presence of policemen” on the campus morning of Feb. 15.

“The Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) Philippines Southern Province supported the Archdiocese of Cebu - Commission on Social Advocacies (COSA) project of a Bakwit school program with Save Our Schools (SOS) Network and since March 11, 2020, SVD had been hosting the delegation of forty-two (42) students accompanied by five teachers and three community elders, after four other educational institutions in Cebu hosted the same.

“The delegation was housed at the SVD-owned retreat house, accessible through USC¬ Talamban Campus. The delegation was supposed to complete their modular schooling on April 3, 2020 after which, they would have returned to their respective indigenous communities.” 

Due to COVID, however, with Cebu City government quarantine restrictions starting March 13, 2020, “the SVD community has since sheltered the delegation at its retreat house, providing them with comfortable accommodation, and allowing them the use of its facilities for the Lumads’ recreation.”

Plans were made for the Lumad’s safe return to their homes as soon as quarantine restrictions relaxed. Due to logistical preparations, costs, such as for required swab tests, fare, and food allowance, the return plan was carried out in batches.

Four delegates had so far returned to their place with another batch scheduled this week. COSA had mentioned some parents were coming over to fetch their children but the police “rescue” surprised them.

Their statement: “Here, no rescue need ever be conducted because the presence of the Lumads in the retreat house was for their welfare and well-being, and all through out, they were nurtured, cared for, and treated with their best interest in mind.”

In an ANC interview, Police Lt. Col. Aurora Rayos, public information officer of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, said the "rescue operation" was prompted by the reports of the children's parents who “asked for assistance including the social workers from Davao Oriental. They went to us for help to rescue their children,” adding that “some parents even reported to police that their children have not returned home for two years already.”

Police Gen. Debold Sinas, PNP chief, claimed last Monday that “some of the children told [Women and Children Protection Desk] investigators that they underwent some form of warfare training while in the custody of their handlers.”

Fr. Nazario Vocales of the Commission on Social Advocacy (COSA) of the Archdiocese of Cebu, in an official statement, condemned the PNP-7’s “rescue operations” clarifying that the Bakwit school, which had the blessings of Archbishop Jose Palma, in partnership with Save our Schools (SOS) Network, learning institutions, congregations and church people, “was a celebration of dialogue and solidarity to our Lumad brothers and sisters whose communities and schools were bombed and militarized.”

Rescue or raid? Were the rights of those detained, including children, respected by the police or not?

Conflicting narratives deserve immediate, impartial investigation.