Mindanao reps demand truth in killing of 9 Cotabato farmers

MANILA, Philippines — Seven lawmakers from Mindanao condemned the killing of nine farmers allegedly by police officers in Kabacan town in Cotabato province a week ago and called for a congressional investigation of the carnage.

“Allegations that [Philippine National Police] personnel are involved in nefarious activities, especially the killing of innocent people, should never be condoned; hence, an investigation is necessary to determine the circumstances leading to these senseless activities in order for Congress to legislate remedial measures to ensure that the Constitutional rights of the people are protected and that law offenders are prosecuted,” they said in a resolution asking for the probe.

One of the lawmakers, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, on Friday said they filed House Resolution No. 1183 two days earlier.

The Muslim representatives said the Aug. 29 killing “sparked outrage” among the people of Mindanao following reports that the victims were “executed” rather than killed in a shootout as first reported.

The resolution was signed by Hataman, Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan, Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison, Tawi-Tawi Rep. Rashidin Matba and Lanao del Sur Reps. Yasser Alonto Balindong and Ansaruddin Abdul Malik Adiong.

Triple loss for ex-rebel

A former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrilla lost his son, son-in-law and a nephew in the unprovoked attack.

The ex-Moro fighter who is in his late 60s supported the peace deal between the rebels and the government to end decades of Moro rebellion in southern Philippines.

He had joined the rebels to protect his family and community from similar massacres in the 1960s to 1970s.

He was looking forward to a peaceful life with his expanded family until this future was shattered when his 25-year-old son and the others were killed mercilessly.

Bangsamoro Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said Bangsamoro Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim ordered lawyers to assist the former Moro combatant and the families of the other victims pursue justice.

The lawyers will help in preparing affidavits and taking testimonies from witnesses, Sinarimbo said.

Aid to victims’ families

Ebrahim also ordered an independent probe by the Bangsamoro government in cooperation with local and national authorities, he said.

Sinarimbo and Social Welfare Minister Raissa Jajurie recently met with the victims’ families who each received P70,000 and a sack of rice as assistance.

In a statement, Hataman called on the government to make sure that the perpetrators were brought to justice to prevent a repeat of the carnage.

“Just as violence has no place in our communities, a culture of impunity should also be cast aside and eliminated, especially in our law enforcement agencies that are supposed to uphold the law,” Hataman said.

Eroding trust in police

If the allegations against the police were not true, the congressional investigation would help “clear the air” and mollify the public’s growing distrust on men in uniform, he added.

Sangcopan was concerned about how the allegation against the police “breeds animosity and may lead to more unintended circumstances.”

“The [PNP] is mandated to serve and protect our rights and safety. But with the mounting number of alleged atrocities committed by law enforcers against us Muslims, it has become a wrenching and glaring everyday reminder for us not to trust them,” she said.

Mangudadatu, whose family members were the main targets of the Ampatuan clan in the 2013 massacre that left 54 dead, said there was an urgent need for legislation that would stop the erosion of the people’s trust in law enforcers, especially in the police.

“If there are flaws in police procedure or the temptation to overstep lawful boundaries are significant, then we have to pass remedial measures to address all of these,” he said.

The nine victims were identified as Nasurdin Kalilangan, 41; Sandigan Zailon, 46; Benladin Dimanalao, 19; Zaiden Musaed, 21; Romeo Balatamay Pioto, 38; Esmael Pagayon, 17; Datu Fahad Dimanalao Mandigan, 24; Budsal Lipusan; and Nasher Guiaman, 17.

Unknown to each other

According to a report by Habib Guiabar, chair of the local MILF monitoring team, nine men on separate motorcycles who were unknown to each other, were stopped by armed men on a busy provincial road near the University of Southern Mindanao campus, brought to the roadside and gunned down.

Authorities gathered a similar report, according to Police Maj. Peter Pinalgan Jr., the Kabacan police chief.

“Based on witnesses’ account, the gunmen flagged down their motorcycles, about five [of them], and demanded identification cards. Then, suddenly, they were shot at close range,” he said.

Before they were shot, one of the victims was able to call his father to report that he and the others were “stopped by the police.” Moments later, his father heard gunshots on the phone.

Another victim, who died several hours after the shooting, also told his relatives at the hospital that policemen were responsible, according to Erlan Deluvio, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights.

Deluvio said he would docket the attack as an “extrajudicial killing.” — (with a report from Edwin Fernandez)