Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro condemned the attack and illegal entry of the Alamara paramilitary group into the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Haran compound in Davao City, where Lumad communities evacuated and sought refuge.
The solon also lambasted the police officials who allowed these paramilitary groups to attack UCCP Haran and the Lumad evacuees.
“We vehemently condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack of the Alamara paramilitary group against UCCP Haran and the Lumad evacuees. The paramilitary group Alamara forcibly entered UCCP Haran and tore down the wall protecting the sanctuary area of some 500 Lumad evacuees,” Castro said.
There was no immediate comment available from the military nor the police.
Castro said the attack against Lumad communities seeking refuge in the church compound was a result of the continued red-tagging of UCCP Haran from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict from President Duterte’s Executive Order 70.
The illegal entry of these paramilitary groups came days after the regional Peace and Order Council issued a resolution demanding the closure of the church compound.
These are the same paramilitary groups carrying bolos and bows and arrows who harassed them when they tried to rescue Lumad students in Talaingod in 2018 which led to the police filing trumped up charges against them, said Castro.
“UCCP Haran has been known for opening its doors to Lumad evacuees who seek refuge from the intensified militarization of their ancestral lands since 1994,” Castro added.
Castro said the government is so quick to attack and harass organizations and the people who open their doors to protect victims of state terrorism.
These paramilitary groups have instilled fear among Lumad communities and led them to evacuate and seek refuge far from their ancestral lands and now continue to attack them in their newfound sanctuary, she said.
“Reports also show that the paramilitary groups were able to enter the church compound with the aid of police authorities,” Castro stated.
Cadtrl said police authorities who failed to protect the Lumad communities seeking refuge in the church compound should also be accountable in the attack.
Government authorities should protect these Lumad evacuees from being attacked, she said.
“In our country, those who open their doors to help the most oppressed and vulnerable sectors in our society are tagged as criminals and terrorists. Help cannot be expected from authorities like the police. The local government and police authorities who failed to protect the sanctuary at Haran and the Lumad and even aided and abetted the violence yesterday are all liable for various crimes such as violation of domicile, destruction of property, even graft. They should be held accountable,” Castro stated.
“President Duterte and his military should realize that through the peace talks with the NDFP, they would be able to solve the roots of armed conflict and address the clamor of the people for land, job security, decent salaries, education, health and other social services,” Castro said.
“History has proven that military interventions by the government do more harm than good. Military interventions instead of socio-economic and political solutions terrorize communities and subject the people to a greater state of poverty rather than providing for their rights.”
“We urge the people to continue to struggle for just and lasting peace. Voice out our support for the peace talks and our demands as the parties are set to talk about the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio Economic Reforms,” Castro ended.