Pagpaslang sa Lumads kinondena ng Bayan Muna (Sa Surigao del Sur)

KINONDENA ni Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate ang pagpaslang sa tatlong katutubong Lumad sa Lianga, Surigao del Sur ng pinaniniwalaang mga miyembro ng paramilitary group na nag-o-operate sa nasabing lalawigan.

“Killings and human rights violations is the legacy of the Aquino administration to the indigenous peoples, especially to the Lumad people. The government’s upkeep of paramilitary organizations is sustaining the state of impunity in our country. We denounce this recent killing of lumad leaders to the highest degree. We demand swift justice for these killings,” pahayag ni Rep. Zarate

Sina Emerito Samarca, executive director ng indigenous people’s school Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood and Development (Alcadev), at Dionel Campos, chairman ng indigenous peoples organization Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang Sa Sumusunod (Mapasu, o Protracted Struggle for Next Generations) ay pinagbabaril hanggang mapatay, gayondin ang isa pang residente at miyembro ng Mapasu na si Aurelio Sinzo.

Ang tatlo ay pawang mga miyembro ng Manobo tribe at mga residente ng Han-Ayan, Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. 

Hinihinalang ang paramilitary group Bagani Force, na suportado ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, ang nasa likod ng pagpaslang.

“It is incomprehensible why our government insists on keeping these paramilitary organizations when there have been scores of human rights violation and killings attributed to these mercenaries,” ayon kay Rep. Zarate.

Si Italian missionary priest, Fr. Fausto Tentorio ay pinatay ng mga elemento ng Bagani Force at 5th Special Forces ng Philippine Army, noong Oktubre 17, 2011, ayon sa human rights organization Karapatan.

“The reign of terror of these armed dogs of the AFP should not be allowed to continue. The Aquino government should immediately disarm and disband paramilitary groups if it is serious in addressing the dire  human rights situation in the country,” dagdag ni Rep Zarate.

Binatikos din ng party-list solon ang nakaraang pagrebisa sa Implementing Rules and Regulations para sa Executive Order 546, nagpapahintulot sa pagbubuo ng paramilitary groups at private armies.

“EO 546 should be revoked outright. Revision on the policy will only further legitimize these war dogs, and cause the proliferation of private armies and paramilitary groups,” aniya.