DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 1 Sept) – The executive director of an alternative learning center for Indigenous Peoples (Lumads) and two other members were killed allegedly by paramilitary elements at 4 a.m. Tuesday in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, Karapatan-Caraga said in a press statement.
Killed were Emerito Samarca, 54, Executive Director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development (Alcadev); Dionel Campos, chair of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU), a Lumad organization protesting mining operations, land conversions and plantations; and Campos’ cousin, Bello Sinzo.
In a press statement, Karapatan-Caraga narrated that at around 4 a.m. on September 1, “known elements” of the Magahat-Bagani “opened fire at Dionel Campos and Aurelio Sinzo as community members in Km. 16, Han-ayan, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur were roused from bed and forced to gather in the middle of the community early this morning.”
At around the same time, Samarca’s body “was found in one of the schoolrooms, tied around the neck and extremities, with a stab wound.”
Karapatan-Caraga noted that on August 30, after the two-day celebration of Alcadev’s foundation day, some elements of the Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion and Special Forces with members of the Magahat-Bagani Force “occupied the school’s function hall and areas within the school grounds.”
The Magahat “threatened to massacre the community should they not evacuate within two days,” the press statement said.
Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, civil military operations officer of 36tB, told mindanews they were surprised their unit was implicated because the area is “not part of our jurisdiction.”
Karapatan-Caraga also reported that on August 31, MAPASU’s cooperative store was burned by the Magahat whose members allegedly “indiscriminately fired around the vicinity,” prompting residents of Han-ayan and the school staff, as well as their guests, to seek refuge in Km. 16.
But as the residents were preparing to leave for Km. 16, “Samarca was detained at the Alcadev grounds by some members of the Magahat,” Karapatan-Caraga said.[]
“This was the last time that he was seen alive,” it said.
