CEGP, groups condemn AFP for abetting Lumad massacres

From the Daily Tribune (Sep 5): CEGP, groups condemn AFP for abetting Lumad massacres

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and other youth groups descended upon the general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo and condemned the slaughter of three Lumad leaders in Surigao del Sur last Sept. 1.

CEGP national president Marc Lino Abila slammed the military and paramilitary groups for committing the worst atrocities against the indigenous peoples in Northeast Mindanao and unleashing what appears to be a campaign of genocide against them.

“Lumad killings and journalist killings have something in common. Last month, two radio broadcasters in Mindanao were gunned down. Lumads and indigenous peoples, who only protect their ancestral lands, are also victims by the reign of impunity intensified by the Aquino administration and its cohorts in the AFP,” Abila said.

The harassment and threat from the 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) and Magahat/Bagani paramilitary group to Manobos in Han-ayan, Lianga, Surigao del Sur forced them to evacuate to Km. 16.

Magahat members eventually killed Alternative Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development (Alcadev) executive director Emerito Samarca, Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang sa Sumusunod (Mapasu) chairperson Dionel Campos and his cousin Bello Sinzo early morning of Tuesday.

The 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City denied the military’s participation to the incident but the Manobos saw 36th IB troops along with the Magahat group when it happened because they were roused from sleep and forced out of their homes at dawn.

“The AFP cannot deny this as a whole community of Manobos can testify the claims,” CEGP said.
Lumads have been affected by military operations in Mindanao since the entry of large-scale mining companies and corporate plantations.

The militant groups stormed the gate of the headquarters of the AFP, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City as a reaction to the recent series of indigenous Lumad killings in Mindanao.

Lead by left-leaning group Anakbayan, the protesters threw red paint bombs that vandalized the facade of the military headquarters.

Anakbayan national chairman Vencer Crisostomo pointed out that the formation of the Paramilitary group Magahat, that is allegedly responsible for the multiple murder cases in Lianga, Cagayan de Oro, is an apendage of the military.

“The Magahat militias occupied the Lumad community together with the 36th Infantry Batallion of the AFP. The militias acted as AFP’s attack dog, in order to distance themselves from the killing,” Crisostomo said.

On August 31 before the murders, The Magahat militias burned down the community cooperative store of MAPASU while indiscriminately firing around the community. Samarca was detained by the Magahat militias, he was all tied up when he was last seen alive. 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/cegp-groups-condemn-afp-for-abetting-lumad-massacres