PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — A “lumad” group in the Caraga region vowed to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Rodrigo Duterte for allowing Army soldiers operating in the region to get away with what the group said was criminal liability in the line of duty. Kahugpungang sa Lumadnong Organisasyon sa Caraga (Kasalo Caraga) was reacting to the speech of the President in his visit to soldiers on Saturday at Camp Lipus Makapandong. ADVERTISEMENTIn his speech, the President reiterated a promise to protect soldiers from prosecution if crimes were committed in the line of duty. Marlon Lacal, parish priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel in San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur, said the President’s assurance encouraged soldiers to violate the rights of lumad in the pretext of fighting rebels. Valiant soldiersThe President commended two brigades operating in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte for their fight against the New People’s Army.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 30, 2018 21:33 UTC