DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A militant lawmaker filed a House resolution seeking to investigate the death of Veronico “Nico” Lapsay Delamente, a 27 year-old Lumad-Mamanwa leader who was killed by two unidentified men in Punta Naga Gymnasium, Barangay Caagdianao at Claver town, Surigao del Norte.
Anakapawis partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao filed House Resolution No. 727 directing the Committees On Human Rights, Natural Resources and Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples to conduct a joint inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the death of Delamente.
The resolution was co-introduced by other Makabayan bloc lawmakers Carlos isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna, Emmi A. De Jesus and Arlene D. Brosas of Gabriela, Antonio L. Tinio and France L. Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and Sarah Jane I. Elago of the Kabataan Partylist.
Delamente was the provincial Coordinator of Katribu Partylist, an active member of Kahugpungan sa Lumadnong mga Organisasyon , a Lumad organization in Caraga region and a council member of AMPANTRENTO, an NCIP recognized organization of the Lumad people in Claver town.
“Delamente and other Mamanwas were active in disapproving the entry of the CMDC that threatens to destroy their ancestral land, livelihood, culture and cause disunity among them as conveyed by the following circumstances,” the resolution reads, citing a data from human rights group Karapatan.
Casilao said that Claver Mineral Development Corporation was one of the active nickel mining companies in Surigao del Norte which has exploration area of 433.9798 hectares.
He added that CMDC “convinced the other members of AMPANTRENTO and paid them with P700,000 to agree with the entry of CDMC.”
“On December 27, 2016, the CDMC released another P1 million for the community to agree on the proposal and convinced the council of AMPANTRENTO to remove Delamente and others who were against the mining operation,” the resolution added.
For being a vocal critic against the mining operations, Casilao said that Delamente “had experienced surveillance and threat to his life” as armed men were seen around his residence.
Delamente was the 11th victim of extra-judicial killings under Duterte administration through the counter-insurgency program Oplan Kapayapaan formerly known as Oplan Bayanihan, he said. (davaotoday.com)
