 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
26 JANUARY 2010
CHR TO HOLD PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE CULTURE OF VIOLENCE IN AGUSAN DEL SUR WHICH CULMINATED IN THE DECEMBER 2009 ABDUCTION/HOSTAGE TAKING INCIDENT
On the request of the CHR-CARAGA Regional Office, the Commission on Human Rights will conduct a public inquiry into the Agusan Del Sur Abduction incident and a string of extrajudicial killings which victimized mostly indigenous peoples (IPs) and which appear to be related to the simmering rivalries between warring local clans.
The public inquiry is scheduled for January 28-29, 2010 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Doongan, Butuan City . Summoned thereto are the complainants/witnesses in various extralegal killings being investigated by CHR-CARAGA, including the killing of the chieftain and relatives of the Ondo Perez clan, as well as provincial officials of Agusan Del Sur led by Gov. Maria Valentina Plaza, the Regional Director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), barangays officials, and military and police officers having jurisdiction over the areas where the killings occurred.
Explaining the rationale for the public inquiry, CHR Chairperson De Lima said: “After further follow up investigations in the wake of the Dec. 10, 2009 incident perpetrated by the Ondo Perez Gang, we are certain that the abduction was only a strand in a greater scheme of impunity, criminality and violence gripping Agusan Del Sur.”
Reports from informants and from the CHR regional office in CARAGA show that the Ondo Perez Gang is not the only criminal group operating in the province, and is not the only group perpetrating many crimes, including murder. De Lima remarked, “The killings in Agusan are related to warring tribal groups or factions. It certainly does not help the situation any when the military and police appear to be pitting one indigenous peoples faction against the other.”
It can be recalled that members of the Ondo Perez Gang lamented that their rivals were not being pursued for criminal activities, yet only their group was the subject of the police manhunt that ended with the abduction of several civilians, including children.
“This is a crucial detail in uncovering the true circumstances of peace and order in Agusan, particularly on the conduct of law enforcement,” De Lima added. “Not only does it bode unfavorably for the police and military, but it corroborates long-held suspicions that clan-related violence is sanctioned by law enforcement agencies. There is this suspicion that they are pitting armed groups against each other. For what purpose, we are not sure. But we do know that it perpetuates the string of killings in Agusan Del Sur. ”
From the records of the CHR-CARAGA office, there are at least 18 extrajudicial killings that are almost certainly related to the clan wars in Agusan Del Sur.
On these murders, De Lima said, “These killings are definitely part of the puzzle, and that is why we are not narrowing the investigation into the abduction incident or even the Ondo Perez faction. There are more personalities involved, more human rights violations occurring in Agusan Del Sur, and therefore, a more complex problem for peace and security in the province requiring a comprehensive solution. Finding a complete and thoughtful solution is the purpose of this inquiry, and we must begin with culling all the information that is available.”
The CHR Chairperson, Leila De Lima and Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag, the Focal Commissioner for CARAGA, will lead the inquiry.