‘Lumad’ vow to testify vs Duterte at ICC
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — A “lumad” group in the Caraga region vowed to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Rodrigo Duterte for allowing Army soldiers operating in the region to get away with what the group said was criminal liability in the line of duty.
Kahugpungang sa Lumadnong Organisasyon sa Caraga (Kasalo Caraga) was reacting to the speech of the President in his visit to soldiers on Saturday at Camp Lipus Makapandong.
In his speech, the President reiterated a promise to protect soldiers from prosecution if crimes were committed in the line of duty.
“If in case in the performance of your duty and you face charges, criminal and all, you need not worry,” the President told the soldiers.
“I will take the blame personally and I will protect you,” he added.
Repeated assurance
The President had repeatedly given this assurance to soldiers and policemen.
Femia Cullamat, Kasalo chair, said the President’s assurance of protection to soldiers had set a bad precedent.
“If this will be the case, then we would be compelled to testify at the International Criminal Court so that justice will be served to victims of impunity,” Cullamat said.
Fr. Marlon Lacal, parish priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel in San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur, said the President’s assurance encouraged soldiers to violate the rights of lumad in the pretext of fighting rebels.
“Eventually this will lead to further displacement of lumad,” said Lacal.
“In the end it will not be the insurgents to suffer but tribal people,” he added.
Valiant soldiers
The President commended two brigades operating in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte for their fight against the New People’s Army.
He said the soldiers’ “valiant and relentless efforts” had resulted in the killing, arrest or surrender of at least 500 “underground mass organization members.”
The President said hundreds of firearms and explosives had been seized and rebel camps had been discovered by the soldiers.
