De Lima on lumad killings: Justice will be served
Justice will be served for the killing of lumad leaders in Mindanao, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has assured representatives of the indigenous peoples group.
In a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, De Lima gave an update on the murder and arson charges filed against the suspects in the killing of three lumad leaders in Surigao del Sur on Sept. 1.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes, who accompanied the lumads, said De Lima told them the preliminary investigation is ongoing.
Reyes said De Lima also promised to issue a legal opinion on paramilitary groups claiming to be indigenous self-defense forces, as well as the presence of the military in schools.
The recent incidents were allegedly perpetrated by the Magahat/Bagani force, a paramilitary group reportedly trained by the military.
This developed as the United Nations called on the Philippine government to investigate the killings.
“We urge Philippine authorities to ensure that investigation into these tragic events be carried out independently to identify and bring perpetrators to justice,” UN special rapporteurs Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Michel Forst said in a statement.
Zones of peace
Amid reports some schools were affected by the armed conflict in lumad communities, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said schools should remain zones of peace.
“I can say with all sincerity, I will give my life for children,” Luistro said during the deliberation on the proposed 2016 budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) at the House of Representatives. “Without any second thoughts, a teacher’s first move is to protect children.”
Luistro said DepEd has adopted a comprehensive child protection policy to protect and promote the rights of the child and condemn any threat against students. He said DepEd trained over 1,100 people on child protection policy last year.
He said DepEd also released the guidelines and procedures on the management of children-atrisk and children in conflict with the Law.