DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Highly atrocious and a travesty to the ongoing peace talks.
This was the statement of Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate as he condemned the killing of anti -mining activist and tribal leader Veronico “Nico” Lapsay Delamente in the mining town of Claver, Surigao del Norte last Friday, Jan. 20.
“This atrocious act should be condemned to the highest degree. It is yet another proof that the extrajudicial killings of activists continues, particularly against the Lumad of Mindanao who are defending their ancestral lands,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Delamente, a leader of Mamanwa tribe, was gunned down by unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle in Punta Naga, Brgy. Caagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte. For Zarate, his death is viewed as a “travesty to the ongoing peace process.”
“This is also a travesty and an insult to the ongoing GRP-NDFP peace talks that tackle the meat of the peace process, the comprehensive agreement on socio-economic reforms, including the rights of the national minorities like the Lumads,” the Davao-based solon added.
Spate of killings
Earlier this month, Datu Vennie Diamante was also killed in Norala, South Cotabato after opposing the application of an oil palm plantation in their ancestral lands.
On October 10, last year, Jimmy Saypan, a Mansaka and secretary general of the Compostela Farmers Association, was also gunned down by suspected military supporting mining operations in Montevista, Compostela Valley.
Last July 30, Makenet Gayoran, a pregnant Lumad woman died after members of the NIPAR paramilitary group strafed a community that gathered in a wedding in San Fernando, Bukidnon.
In the wake of spate of killings targeting the Lumad, Zarate called on the government to probe these incidents.
“We call on the government to investigate these incidents and to put a stop to the continued military operations in the communities despite the ceasefire declaration. We also call on the AFP to dismantle paramilitary groups like the NIPAR,” Zarate pointed out who is now in Rome, Italy as a member of the House delegation observing the third round of GRP-NDFP talks.
“At this stage of the talks, the government must be wary of elements within who are against the peace process. The reported ceasefire violations, the encroachment of mining and other development projects in lumad lands, and, human rights violations are badges of sabotage. We urge President Duterte to punish these saboteurs and spoilers of peace and pursue the genuine interest of the people for a just peace,” he concluded. (davaotoday.com)
