UNIDENTIFIED men torched a refugee camp for displaced indigenous people or lumad in a church compound in Davao City Tuesday, sending five people—including two children—to hospital.
Witnesses from the lumad organization Pasaka said unidentified men in motorcycles set fire to the camp and dormitories inside the Haran compound of the United Churches of Christ of the Philippines, the temporary home for lumad refugees who were driven from their homes by paramilitary groups in Davao del Norte and Bukidnon since last year.
The men poured gasoline on the canvas roofs of the refugees tents, the witnesses said.
Three persons were taken to hospital with injuries, including two children.
The Bureau of Fire Protection in Davao City said its initial investigation showed that arson was the cause of fires that broke out on opposite ends of the Haran Mission House.
Various groups condemned the torching of the refugee camp.
“Military attacks continue to haunt the lumad, even tormenting those who sought safe shelter. This is an abominable act,” said Kharlo Manano of the group Salinlahi.
“The incident also underlines the Aquino government’s complete disregard of our indigenous peoples. Not one person of authority has been made accountable for the numerous human rights violations proliferating in indigenous communities—the very reason why over 700 lumad are currently displaced,” Manano added.
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes added: “This latest incident is part of the continuing attacks against the lumad resistance. The perpetrators may have intended something more than just burning the compound. There also appears to be an intent to terrorize the lumad evacuees and their supporters.”
Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan called for an investigation to identify those responsible.
“The violations, harassment and killings continue and the lumad are being attacked without end,” she said.
Those behind the fire were “worse than animals,” said Anakpawis party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap.
Anakpawis and several other militant groups have been supporting the lumad campaign against extra-judicial killings and harassment by armed groups associated with the military.
Hicap said President Benigno Aquino III should be held accountable for the incessant killings of the lumad.
“We hold the Aquino presidency ultimately responsible for this atrocity, when the whole country and world joined the call ‘Stop Lumad Killings,’ he just went on his way militarizing Mindanao and paved ways for mining and plantation operations,” Hicap said.
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago also denounced the attack.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the alleged arson of the lumad evacuation center in Davao City, and I urge authorities to investigate the incident promptly,” the senator said.
“The indigenous peoples at the UCCP Haran compound were driven out of their homes by violence. The lumads are now again rendered homeless. They deserved state protection, but were instead harassed by state agents, who once attempted to forcibly evict them,” Santiago said.
She was referring to an incident in June 2015, when the Davao police and other armed personnel reportedly attempted to forcibly evict the lumad evacuees from the church compound and back to their homes.
Santiago has earlier filed a resolution calling for a Senate inquiry on the June 2015 incident. She has also sought probes on the alleged militarization of indigenous communities and the reported closure of schools for lumad children.
“I urge the next Congress to fast-track the passage of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Act and to include in the bill specific provisions on the rights of indigenous peoples,” Santiago said.
“We have failed the lumad. Let us not renege further on our obligation,” she added.