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April 6, 2011
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the successful handling of the hostage crisis in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao that resulted in the release of the remaining 12 hostages on Tuesday.
CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales said that the release of all hostages is a proof that government authorities can manage crisis situations if only they are willing to work closely and in a concerted fashion. According to Rosales, “all responsible government agencies – the LGUs, the DILG, the CHR, DOJ, PAO, NCIP, PNP and AFP – worked together to ensure the safety and the release of all hostages.”
On Friday, 1 April 2011, five armed men from the Manobo tribe hostaged 15 civilians in the municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, most of whom were teachers and schoolchildren coming from a graduation ceremony. The hostage-takers demand the release of their relative, Ondo Perez, who is incarcerated for charges of murder and hostage-taking of some 79 people back in 2009. They also assert their right to their ancestral domains which, according to them, was not being recognized and respected by the government.
The CHR is one the first agencies contacted by the group of Ondo Perez to help negotiate with the hostage-takers. When the local government unit formed the Crisis Management Committee (CMC), the CHR took the lead in the legal team tasked to review and expedite the legal processes in relation to the pending cases of Ondo Perez. The legal team is also composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
The hostage-takers released three hostages over the weekend. Lando Brital, who volunteered to help under the CHR, was able to secure the release of one child on Saturday. Early morning of Tuesday, the CMC received a report that the hostage-takers left and abandoned the remaining hostages.
Atty. Marilyn Pintor, Regional Director of CHR Caraga, is one of those who directly participated in the negotiations. According to Atty. Pintor, “when we related to the hostage-takers the progress in the pending cases of Ondo Perez, their stance softened and I think that contributed substantially to them deciding to just abandon the hostages.”
The CHR is now working closely with the DOJ through Secretary De Lima, the PAO and the NCIP on the pending cases of Ondo Perez and the Manobo’s ancestral domain claims. Agusan del Sur Gov. Plaza and Prosperidad Mayor Magdamit expressed their “gratefulness” to CHR for its participation in the CMC.#####