Correction: Herme Alegre was previously reported as a woman.
DAVAO CITY (Updated as of July 25, 2016 at 6:43 pm)— Acting City Mayor Paolo Duterte has called on the Davao City Police Office to conduct a thorough probe on the violent attack against two Lumad leaders here on Friday last week, July 15.
Armed men riding in tandem killed the secretary of a Parent-Teachers Association of a Lumad school here while his companion, a tribal leader was critically wounded in an attack on Friday afternoon in Barangay Manuel Guianga, Tugbok District here.
The victims were identified as Herme Alegre, 28, secretary of the Salugpungan School PTCA and Danny Diarog, 31, vice chairperson of the Kahugpungan sa Lumad and the tribal chieftain of Sitio Kahusayan. Both are Bagobo-Klata tribe members.
Alegre was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician while Diarog is in critical condition.
In a statement on Monday, July 18, Duterte condoled with the family of Herme Alegre, 28 especially to his three young children.
“My prayers and thoughts are with you in this difficult time and moment of sorrow. However, while probe is being done, let me encourage everyone to observe sobriety and calm and to refrain from blaming certain individuals or groups or making speculations as these may only stir up more distrust and tension,” Duterte said.
Duterte added that he is requesting for the cooperation of everyone concerned “as the authorities will do everything it can to bring justice to the victims.”
Meanwhile, global rights activists who are set to hold an international human rights conference here warned of the ongoing militarization and human rights violations after the attack against the Lumad leaders.
Over 200 delegates of the International Conference for People’s Rights in the Philippines will convene for the first ever global rights meet in the Philippines under the Duterte administration here on July 23-24.
Bishop Felixberto Calang, ICPRP spokesperson said:“It is unfortunate that the political killings continue right inside Davao. Pres. Duterte should act on this and other rights violations in the country.” (davaotoday.com)
