DAVAO CITY – A partylist lawmaker is asking for a house probe on the Paquibato ‘massacre’ that led to the deaths of three civilians including two community leaders on Sunday midnight.
Human rights group, Karapatan reports that on June 14, elements of the 69th Infantry Battalion of the Army strafed the residence of peasant leader Aida Seisa, secretary general of the Paquibato District Peasant Association in Purok 7, Paradise Embac, Paquibato. The victims were identified as Ata Manobo Datu Ruben Enlog, former purok leader Randy Carnasa and farmer Oligario Quimbo.
The Army maintained that those who were killed were members of the New People’s Army.
“It has become too easy for military elements to kill just about anybody and label them members of the New People’s Army,” Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Luz Ilagan said.
Ilagan who hails from Davao City said she will continue to push for an on-site investigation on several cases of human rights violations committed in Lumad communities even during Congress’ break.
