Cover-up in lumad killings feared

TANDAG CITY, Philippines  – The Diocese of Tandag has expressed fear of a cover-up in the killing of two lumad leaders and an educator in Surigao del Sur, citing several unsolved murders in the past.

In a statement dated Sept. 8, Bishop Nerio Ochimar said authorities seemed to be not keen in looking for the suspects.

On Thursday, the diocese led a peace caravan calling for justice for lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Jubello Sinzo, and tribal school director Emerito Samarca.

The victims were reportedly killed by members of the Magahat or Bagani paramilitary group on Sept. 1 in Lianga town.

The prelate visited several churches in the province to educate parishioners on the church’s stand on the plight of the indigenous people. 

“We call on the defenders of the rights of our indigenous brothers and sisters to give them the justice they deserved and punish those who committed murder,” Ochimar said during the caravan.