During the Senate inquiry over the Lumad killings here, more families evacuated from their communities out of fear of the paramilitary group responsible for the killings.
Governor Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur renews his calls to disband paramilitary forces who are allegedly responsible for the killing of officers of a tribal school and the evacuation of thousands of residents now camped at Tandag City provincial sports complex.
Senator Teofisto Guingona III calls for the capture of the identified suspects in the killing of a school administrator and two Lumad leaders in Lianga town, Surigao del Sur on September 1. The suspects are alleged members of the paramilitary group Magahat Bagani Force. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights Subcommittee joint with the Committee on Cultural Communities held a two-day probe on the killings and evacuation of Lumads in this province.
The local chief of a village in Kitaotao town Bukidnon gives a boarding high-school two days time to close their school.
Manobo evacuees play billiards using marbles and a mini board inside a church compound here where they have been staying for the last five months. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
Before the leaders of the Mercy Mission entered Purok 2, representatives from the Local Government Unit of Kitaotao Municipality have already entered the area on the same day for a separate activity of giving relief goods to the residents.
Datu Mintroso Malibato, spokesperson of Karadyawan, an organization of Manobo from Kapalong, Davao del Norte joins a protest outside the venue of the Commission on Human Rights’ public inquiry with regards to the situation of Lumads in Mindanao. Malibato urged the CHR to focus on the reported human rights violations by the Army and paramilitary groups. (Ace R.Morandante/davaotoday.com)
Commissioner Roberto Cadiz of the Commission on Human Rights says they will report their findings and recommendations to appropriate agencies for proper actions during the last day of their public inquiry related to the situation of Lumad evacuees in Mindanao. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)