Makabayan bloc calls for probe into killing of Lumad in Surigao del Sur

The House Makabayan bloc is seeking an inquiry into the killing of three Lumad, including a 12-year-old girl, during a military operation in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

In filing House Resolution 1903, the bloc wants the lower chamber to condemn the incident as it also urges the House committee on human rights to investigate the deaths.

"The brutal massacre of civilians by forces of 3rd Special Forces Battalion is highly condemnable. The killing of civilians and the desecration of their remains are gross violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL) and International Humanitarian Law," the lawmakers said.

"A thorough and impartial investigation on the massacre should be conducted to hold perpetrators accountable and to prevent any more massacres and right violations," they added.

Rights group Karapatan Caraga claimed that state forces had shot the victims on the afternoon of June 15 while they were farming abaca. The group denied that the victims were members of the communist group.

The fatalities were identified as Lenie Perez Rivas, 38; Willy Salinas Rodriguez, 20; and one minor aged 12-years-old minor.

Citing information from the family of the victims, the progressive lawmakers said the victims' remains were desecrated and claimed that there were signs of possible rape of molestation. Rodriguez had multiple broken bones in his arms, which were held together through a packaging tape, the group said.

The military had insisted that those killed were communist rebels who were part of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

"Sila po ay kasama sa engkwentro, may mga baril po sila. At ‘yun nga po, dahil pinutukan po ‘yung ating kasundaluhan, lumaban po sila,} 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Major Rodulfo Cordero earlier said.

(They are part of an encounter, they had weapons. Because they fired at us, our soldiers fought back.)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, had lamented the death of the minor, but condemned the children's recruitment into the communist movement. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News