PNP-CIDG debunks Karapatan claim teacher, peasant illegally arrested in Butuan City

October 11, 2019

The Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) debunked the claim of human rights group Karapatan that a lumad teacher and peasant leader were illegally arrested in Butuan City last Thursday.

"CIDG has a search warrant and the arrest is lawful," said Lt. Colonel Grace Madayag, CIDG spokesperson, in a text message to The Daily Manila Shimbun. 

In a statement by Karapatan, elderly peasant leader Virgilio "Ka Yoyong" Lincuna and Lumad teacher Melissa Comiso were illegally arrested in separate CIDG operations in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

At around 12:55 pm, Lincuna, secretary-general of Unyong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte, was arrested in their office through an arrest warrant allegedly issued in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. He is detained at Camp Raphael Rodriguez, Butuan City.

Meanwhile, at around 10 pm, Comiso, head of the literacy and numeracy program of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines - Northern Mindanao Sub-region, was illegally arrested with her co-teacher. Both are detained at the CIDG office in Butuan City. 

"Karapatan strongly condemns these arrests, which are part and parcel of the government's organized efforts to crack down on organizers, activists, and progressive leaders in Mindanao," the group said.

"We call for the immediate release of peasant leader Lincuna and the two Lumad teachers. In light of the closure of IP schools on the basis of unverified and malicious reports by the military, such incidents are indicative of incessant violations against indigenous and peasant communities," the group added.  Ella Dionisio/DMS