‘Relieve cops in Cebu lumad school raid’

MANILA, Philippines — Several lawmakers have sought the relief of police officers behind the raid on an educational center catering to lumad students in Talamban, Cebu on Monday.

Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero and members of the Makabayan bloc made the call as they pushed for a congressional inquiry into the incident.

Romero said he does not believe that the police operation was aimed at “rescuing” the students.

“On the contrary, there was much screaming, cries for help, commotion and struggle,” he said.

Romero offered a P500,000 legal fund to help facilitate the release of the lumad students.

The House committee on human rights is set to conduct a hearing into the incident next week.

Romero said police officers who would not cooperate in the congressional inquiry would be cited in contempt.

Meanwhile, Malacañang is keeping its hands off the issue.

”This is a police investigation. Let them to do their work... I understand proper charges were filed by the police in relation to illegal detention among others,”presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said. ”Let us allow the wheels of justice to continue.”