Lorenzana orders probe into alleged military abuses on IPs

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 17): Lorenzana orders probe into alleged military abuses on IPs

T’boli, South cotabato – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has ordered an investigation into the reported human rights violation committed by the military against eight members of a tribal group who were killed during a military operation in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last December.

Lorenzana, who was guest speaker at the closing ceremonies of the 20th Seslong Festival here on Friday, said he has already ordered an investigation into the incident wherein eight members of Dulangan-Manobo tribal group, led by tribal chieftain Datu Victor Danian, were killed in an encounter between Army troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu on December 3, 2017.

The victims’ relatives have filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), alleging that the victims were summarily executed by soldiers belonging to 33rd Infantry Battalion and 27th Infantry Battalion.

Named respondents in the complaint are Lt.Col. Benjamin Leander, 27th IB commander and Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, 33rd IB commander, who both claimed that the incident was a legitimate military operation wherein the victims were killed after they figured in a firefight with government troops who were pursuing a band of NPA rebels who had encamped in the area.

Two soldiers were killed during the firefight.

Lorenzana also welcomed the investigation that will be conducted by CHR to determine whether the soldiers had committed lapses which resulted in the killing of the eight tribesmen.

“If they are guilty for committing human rights violation, then they should suffer the consequence,” Lorenzana said.

Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan said the NPA used the tribal group members as their shield against pursuing government troops.

He said the NPA communist rebel group had manipulated members of Indigenous People who are opposed to the encroachment of D.M. Consunji Corp. into their ancestral domain in sitio Bong Langon, Barangay Ned Lake Sebu which was being developed into a coffee plantation.

The mayor said the brewing land dispute between the company and the tribal group members had aggravated after company employed militiamen to harass the tribesmen.

Lorenzana said he will deploy soldiers who are members of IP groups to undertake peace and security tasks in the hinterland villages of T’boli and Lake Sebu towns which are predominantly inhabited by B’laan and T’boli tribesmen.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/17/lorenzana-orders-probe-into-alleged-military-abuses-on-ips/