Bayan belittles AFP, PNP-led probe on Lumad killings

MANILA, Philippines - Militant group Bayan said on Tuesday that the investigations of different government agencies on the Lumad killings will be for nothing, reiterating a call for an independent body to look into the cases.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said the probe launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will amount to nothing as these bodies themselves are linked to the militia group allegedly responsible for the slayings. 

"The CHR (Commission on Human Rights) probe also appears to be a disappointment for the Lumad victims. The results of the DOJ-NBI (Department of Justice-National Bureau of Investigation) probe remain uncertain at this point that (Justice Secretary Leila) de Lima is on her way out," Reyes said 

He also hit the Aquino administration for refusing to invite United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs to conduct a probe on the incidents.

"By refusing to issue invitations to relevant UN bodies, the Aquino government is continuing its official cover up of the gross human rights violations under its watch," Reyes said. 

Last September 1, militant groups claimed that an Army-supported paramilitary group was behind the killing of three Lumads in Barangay Diatagon in Lianga, Surigao del Sur last September 1. 

Killed during the attack were Emerito Samarca, director of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development and indigenous people’s leaders Dionel Campos and Bello Sinzo.