Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib (PNA file photo)
DAVAO DEL NORTE – With the issuance of the arrest warrant by the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) against six administrators of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran Center for child abuse, Governor Edwin Jubahib said they are planning to rescue the remaining 125 Indigenous People (IP) families locked up at the facility.
“We had an initial meeting and we will pull out the IPs inside [Haran Center]. We have already prepared the shelter of the IPs,” he said Tuesday.
Jubahib was referring to the housing projects of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) housing in Sitio Dulian and Sitio Tibukag, Barangay Dagohoy in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
“This is really for them. If the rescue commences, we will immediately turn over the housing units to them and will give them livelihood,” he added.
Jubahib said the Regional Regional Peace and Order Council of Region 11 (RPOC-11) will continue to file charges against other UCCP Haran administrators.
The April 21 arrest warrant was issued against UCCP Bishop Hamuel Tequis, Rev. Daniel Palicte, Ephraim Malazarte, Jong Monzon, secretary-general of Pasaka Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao (Pasaka-SMR), Lindy Trenilla, and Grace Avila.
All have been charged with two counts of violation of RA 7610 or Child Abuse Law.
However, a bail bond was secured for the child abuse cases, and arraignment is scheduled for July 16, 2021.
The omnibus motion filed by the accused was denied by Judge Baguio on April 28, prompting them to secure bail last April 29.
“It does not mean that they are free from the case. They will still be facing charges of illegal detention. Not only that, they used the IPs in doing rallies,” Jubahib said.
The Haran Center, he said, is not a recognized institution and a school as well.
“The IPs inside the facility are being exploited by the communist rebel movement for various terroristic activities,” Jubahib said. (PNA)
