House Chair on IP Committee condemns killing of Surigao IPMR, 2 others

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 13, 2020): House Chair on IP Committee condemns killing of Surigao IPMR, 2 others (By Peter A. Balocnit)

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Oct. 13 (PIA) – Kalinga Representative Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Chairman on Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples of the House of Representatives, condemned in strongest sense the murder of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Jomar Bucales and two others in Surigao del Sur by alleged New People’s Army.

"As an indigenous person, I am particularly outraged by the atrocities committed by the NPA against our IP leaders, most recently the brutal killings of IPMR Jomar Bucales and his two companions in Surigao del Sur. I strongly condemn such inhuman and cowardly attacks”, he said in a statement.

He demands immediate action to ensure the safety of the IPs, and that all the perpetrators of this barbaric act including those who supported, incited and aided them must be brought to justice.

He also finds it utterly sickening that certain groups like the Communist Party of the Philippines appear to have praised and commended these senseless killings.

“They demonstrate once again their inhumanity, utter disregard of human rights and lives, and brutal convictions that are inciting mass atrocities against defenseless communities. These communists are nothing but terrorists and they do not have a place in this civilized society,” he further stated.

Lastly, I stand in full solidarity with the victims' families and urge my fellow IPs to be united in our call for justice for our slain brothers, Mangaoang said. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1055846