File photo.
The so-called “Haran 15” ask the Department of Justice to withdraw the kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases filed against them for the allegedly abducting and holding 700 Lumads inside the Haran Evacuation Center in Davao City.
The “Haran 15” is composed of human rights advocates who helped the Lumads evacuate their conflict-torn communities in Davao del Sur and Bukidnon.
The charges were initially dismissed by Davao City Prosecutor’s Office but was reversed by DOJ and then filed before Davao City Regional Trial Court.
Their lawyer says they sought an audience with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to ask for the withdrawal of the charges especially that the complainants have recanted their accusations.
“The remaining 5 complainants in this case had executed an affidavit that they were not kidnapped. The Lumads who were from Bukidnon who went to Davao for sanctuary at Haran compound were never kidnapped and they not detained at the Haran compound in Davao City,” said Haran 15’s lawyer, Atty. Manuel Quibod.
Atty. Quibod says Aguirre promised to review the case and their motion for reconsideration will probably be resolved by next week.
There are pending arrest warrants against “Haran 15” but Davao RTC suspended its implementation until August 1 while awaiting the resolution of their appeal at DOJ.
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna asked DOJ to also review other cases against human rights advocates in Mindanao.
“I, myself, was charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention last year. Fortunately, it was already dismissed by the Ombudsman. Apparently, there is a pattern, systematic vilification of human rights defender,” said Bayan Muna party-lit representative Carlos Isagani Zarate.
The group says the conflict in the area as well as incidents of human rights violations must stop because until now, many Lumads cannot return to their communities.
(RODERIC MENDOZA/UNTV NEWS)
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