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PNP insists USC raid was a 'rescue' operation, accuses some groups of twisting story
PNP insists USC raid was a 'rescue' operation, accuses some groups of twisting story
The Philippine National Police (PNP) accused on Monday, Feb, 15, some groups of twisting the story behind what it called as a rescue operation of 21 members of an indigenous group inside the retreat house of the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said the reports of accusing the police and the military of arresting the lumad are meant to discredit the government in its efforts to stop the recruitment of the communist rebels.
“The report was slanted and malicious,” said Usana.
He said that the rescue operation was a big blow to what he described as a deceptive and devious handiwork of the communist rebels in recruiting minors as future armed combatants.
Based on the PNP report, the operation stemmed from the complaints of the tribal leaders and parents of the minors—seven boys and 14 girls— about the missing minors since 2018.
The lumads were reportedly recruited in Talaingod town of Davao del Norte and were taken to the USC retreat house in Cebu City for alleged indoctrination.
“According to these parents, their children were taken by the members of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon without their knowledge and consent. The children have been separated from their parents since 2018. They are victims of indoctrination and recruitment by the Communist Terrorist Group and exploitation by the Salugpungan, as they were used during protest rallies against the government,” said Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo, director of the Central Visayas regional police.
“They also asked for donations using the IP minors. The Salugpungan was an alternative learning institution run by the Communist Terrorist Group. Salugpungan schools were closed by the government since they operated without proper permit, aside from being used as a breeding ground for the communist recruitment of minors,” he added.
During the conduct of the operation on Monday morning, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said those who were arrested were six people whom he tagged as involved in indoctrinating the lumad minors.
The rescue operation is a manifestation that the reds have been continuously engaged in recruiting and exploiting minors to be trained as child warriors which is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law and child protection laws" said Sinas, for his part.
Sinas said charges of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention Case in relation to Republic Act. 7610, Violation of R.A. 9208 otherwise known as “Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, as amended by R.A. 10364.
“The fact that the victims are minors in this case, and they had been subjected of various types of exploitation, a violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law may also be filed against the suspects,” said Montejo, for his part.
“Additionally, we are also in the process of consolidating all reliable information and evidence that shall be used for other appropriate cases to be filed against the suspects and other persons who are involved in these criminal activities,” he added.