MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers at the House of Representatives have called for an inquiry into the deaths of seven young men in Patikul, Sulu whom the military says were Abu Sayyaf militants.
According to Moro rights group Suara Bangsamoro, the victims—whose ages range from 18 to 32, with the youngest being a high school student—were killed by the military last Friday.
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The group said those killed were “husbands of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Patikul who were shot” while picking fruits that they had asked for permission to harvest.
The military, however, said that the Tausug youth were members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf killed in a firefight where 17 soldiers were also injured.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the military Western Mindanao Command, has said the area had long been abandoned by civilians because of the presence of the terror group.
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Members of Makabayan bloc along with Reps. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (Zambales) and Ruby Sahali (Tawi Tawi) filed Resolution 2186, directing the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct a probe, in aid of legislation, into the incident.
The Makabayan bloc includes Reps. Sarah Jane Elago (Kabataan), Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna), Emmi De Jesus (Gabriela), Antonio Tinio (ACT-Teachers), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), France Castro (ACT-Teachers) and Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis). — Gaea Katreena Cabico