Pact between state forces, NCIP proposed to prevent raids vs. Lumads

Deputy Speaker Michael Romero on Wednesday proposed a pact between state security forces and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to prevent illegal operations against Lumad schools.

During a House Committee on Human Rights hearing, Romero said the proposed agreement between the Philippine National Police and the Department of National Defense with the NCIP could be similar to the DND's accord with the University of the Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

"I proposed that the similar accord be entered into by the NCIP or the National Commission of the Indigenous Peoples and the Philippine National Police and the Department of National Defense, to ensure that no indigenous peoples learning institution will suffer this same event as what happened during the February 15, 2021," Romero told the hearing.

In a separate message, Romero specified his proposal:

• Prior notification by PNP or AFP for operations within the premises of the indigenous learning institution;
• No member of the PNP or AFP is allowed to enter the premises of the indigenous learning institution, except in cases of emergency;
• If the authorities of the indigenous learning institution request for assistance of PNP or AFP, the personnel should be uniformed unless requested otherwise; and
• In case of service of arrest and search warrants, the authorities of the indigenous learning institution should be notified and at least two faculty members should be present.

The lawmaker was referring to the incident in Cebu City where law enforcers took into custody 19 minors belonging to the Manobo tribe following an operation at a retreat house inside the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus.

The PNP has since insisted that it was a rescue operation against communist rebels. However, the University of San Carlos said the minors were part of the 42-person delegation that participated in a modular schooling activity in March 2020.

Romero believes that the operatives from the Police Regional Office VII "blatantly trampled our own Constitution and the constitutional rights of our people."

"Ang hinihingi ko lang [What I'm asking is] for all these illegal raids to stop. Matigil na 'to, huwag niyo nang gawin. Kung mayroong hot pursuit kayo, gawin ninyo 'yan sa labas," Romero said.

(What I'm asking is for all these illegal raids to stop. If there is a hot pursuit operations, it should be done outside.)  —KBK/RSJ, GMA News