CHR Chair Chito Gascon
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned the killing of a lumad (indigenous) educator and two tribal leaders in Surigao del Sur province on Tuesday.
“Tribal leaders, executive directors of schools, must be protected from harm. The reports we have seen so far show prima facie violations of fundamental rights,” CHR Chair Chito Gascon told the Inquirer in a phone interview on Wednesday.
On Tuesday morning, members of the paramilitary group Magahat-Bagani allegedly gunned down Emerito Samarca, executive director of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development; Dionel Campos, chair of the Mapasu indigenous group; and his cousin, Belio Sinzo.
An advocacy group, Save our Schools (SOS) Network, reported the killings in a press statement.
“Of course, now we have to find out … who the perpetrators are. If, in fact, [they] are members of the paramilitary group receiving support and encouragement from our armed forces, then, of course, we will ask the military to explain this matter,” Gascon said.
He said he had already directed the CHR’s office in the Caraga region to investigate the matter. “But … even prior to receiving the full report, we strongly condemn these killings,” he said.
“We demand justice for this blatant human right violation,” said Kharlo Manano, spokesperson of the SOS Network. “Perpetrators of this gruesome crime should be prosecuted.”
Manano called for the pullout of “all military and paramilitary troops in the countryside.”
Gascon said that though “schools must be protected and respected,” the CHR could not comment on “operational matters of security forces in areas of conflict.”
“There are, of course, guidelines that must be respected in terms of the way they operate in areas of conflict. And if there are clear violations of human rights, we will ask the military to explain and, ultimately, we will hold them to account for them,” he said.
The Army’s 4th Infantry Division, which has jurisdiction over Surigao del Sur, also “condemned the crime committed by [the] armed group.”
“It is very unfortunate that this situation has happened considering that the government is already gaining ground on its peace advocacies in these conflict-affected areas,” Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, division commander, said in a statement.