MANILA, Philippines — The provincial prosecutor of Davao del Norte has dismissed kidnapping and other complaints against seven people who were arrested in a raid on a Lumad Bakwit school in Cebu City in February, the local chapter of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers said Friday. The NUPL Cebu Chapter welcomes the dismissal of all criminal raps filed against the “Bakwit School 7”, namely Chad Errol Booc, Segundo Lagatos Melong, Benito Dalim Bay-ao, Moddie Langayed Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Paumba Oribawan, Roshelle Mae C. Porcadilla, and Jomar Benag. The Philippine National Police claimed the Lumad students were being trained to become "child warriors." The government has closed down dozens of Lumad schools, saying they do not have permits to operate. — Jonathan de SantosRELATED: For Lumad schools, even holding class is a struggle

Source: Philippine Star May 14, 2021 00:45 UTC