DoJ considers interagency probe on killing of lumads

The Department of Justice (DoJ) is considering the conduct of a parallel investigation on the spate of killings targeting lumad leaders in Mindanao.

“We are considering [a parallel investigation] but it cannot just be purely NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) [because] these are no ordinary criminal offenses,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said. De Lima added there has to be an inter-agency that would conduct the investigation. She said she will be monitoring congressional hearings on the case. “There was a proposal on the congressional hearings to tap the NBI for the probe,” de Lima added. Last week, Emerito Samarca, the executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Dionel Campos, chairman of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod and Bello Sinzo were killed in the municipality of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, allegedly by members of the Magahat-Bagani paramilitary group. Reports said more than 3, 000 residents have taken temporary refugee at the provincial sports center in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur after the killings in Lianga. Prior to that, brothers Crisanto and Ellie Tabogol were also killed by alleged members of the Bagani militia in San Miguel town also in the same province. On August 18, human rights group Karapatan said Manobo tribesmen Hermenio Samia, Joebert Samia, Emir Samia, Elmer Samia and Norman Samia were also killed in the town of Pangantucan in Bukidnon. The AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command, which has jurisdiction over the Caraga region denied the military’s involvement in the paramilitary group blamed for the killings of the lumads. TVJ RELATED STORIES Cotabato solon hits militants for using lumads for propaganda

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