House leader wants cops involved in alleged ‘rescue’ of IPs sacked

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker and 1-PACMAN Rep. Mikee Romero on Wednesday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to sack the officers involved in the alleged “rescue operation” of indigenous peoples (IPs) in a university in Talamban, Cebu City.

“With fervor, I condemn the violent acts committed against the children in this incident,” Romero said in his privileged speech.

“I appeal to chief PNP Debold Sinas to relieve all those involved in this illegal raid of children inside the seminary of [the University of San Carlos] (USC) while the House of investigation is ongoing,” he added.

Romero also urged the PNP to “spare the Filipino children and respect their constitutional right to education.”

Earlier, the Makabayan bloc filed a resolution calling for the House committee on human rights to investigate the so-called “rescue operation” of 19 minors, two volunteer teachers, and five lumad leaders seeking refuge in USC.

READ: Police ‘rescue’ lumad kids from priests, educators in top Cebu university

The chief of the Central Visayas police, Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo said that the operation was done after the parents of some of the children sought authorities’ help.

The Commission on Human Rights has launched its own investigation on the matter.

READ: CHR probes police ‘rescue’ of Manobo students

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