HUMAN rights group Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) assisted five lumad individuals in filing cases against members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Davao on Tuesday.
Karapatan-SMR secretary general Hanimay Suazo, in a media interview, said they have filed cases for extra-judicial killing, strafing, indiscriminate firing, harassment and illegal arrest against some of the military officers in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley areas.
One of the complainants from Monkayo, Compostella Valley is Armando Bermejo, who was accused by military officials for illegal possession of firearms last May 19 but was dismissed earlier this month for insufficiency of evidence.
Suazo said they are serious in supporting the lumads in their complaints, noting that they also have high hopes with the new chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
"Seryoso man gud ni na mga butang, we are taking our chances right now kay bag-o na ang chairperson sa Commission on Human Rights (This is a serious matter, we are taking our chances because there is a new chairperson for the Commission on Human Rights)," she said.
She said they are also challenging the CHR to take action in documenting, investigating and monitoring the cases for violation of human rights by military forces against the lumads. (KGL)