THE Police Regional Office (PRO) Davao said they are in the process of building up a case against the people responsible behind the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) Haran claiming to have sheltered distressed Lumad.
PRO Davao spokesperson Major Eudisan Gultiano said Monday, January 27, that an investigation is currently ongoing. On Saturday, tension broke out after Indigenous People (IP) leaders tried to break inside the facility to rescue their relatives who are staying inside.
Gultiano said there were five individuals who were rescued by their family Hasmin Boolan, 25; Angel Amansor, 22; Amyan Andel, 25; Mayha Andel, 18; and a minor alias Jenelyn from Barangay Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Gultiano said they were also sent back to their province.
She added that during an interview with the victims, it was learned that they were allegedly threatened by the leaders inside. The organizers told them that if they go out, they will be killed by a paramilitary group. Gultiano said their narratives will be used for the investigation to shed light on the issue.
As of Monday, there are still IPs who are staying at UCCP Haran. They are just waiting for the next round of negotiation per agreement on Saturday with the leaders of Haran and Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
Earlier, Davao Oriental Governor and the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Davao Nelson Dayanghirang backed the immediate closure of UCCP Haran because of alleged “continuing Human Rights abuse”.
“As the Chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council 11, I stand with Gov. Jubahib and the IPs of Davao del Norte to immediately stop the continuing Human Rights abuse perpetrated by the leaders and supporters of UCCP HARAN,” Dayanghirang said. (JCR)