NANINDIGAN ang ilang mambabatas na hindi rescue operations ang isinagawa ng mga kagawad ng Philippine National Police sa 19 na Manobo students sa University of San Carlos sa Cebu City.

“Indeed, that is not a rescue operation. Not only is it highly questionable and irregular, it can never be justified. It violates our laws and international agreements on children, schools, religious, educational institutions as zones of peace which must be sites of mutual respect, nonviolent behavior, and sharing of resources for furthering peace and cooperation,” pahayag ni Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.

“Matagal nang tinangkang burahin ang kultura at kasaysayan ng mga katutubong Filipino at hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa rin ang pagtindig naming mga katutubo para sa aming kultura, lupain at karapatan,” pahayag naman ni Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat.

Una rito, inihain ng Makabayan Bloc sa Kamara ang House Resolution 1590 na humihiling ng imbestigasyon sa insidente.

“The violent raid and arrest conducted by the police against indigenous people merely seeking sanctuary amid the pandemic is highly condemnable,” pahayag ng mga kongresista sa kanilang resolution.

Kaugnay nito, nanawagan si 1-Pacman Rep. Michael Romero kay PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas na sibakin ang lahat ng sangkot sa tinawag niyang illegal raid.

“If policemen involved in these illegal raid are not relieved, this means that this has the blessing of higher-ups. We might have a hard time if the command responsibility might go up,” diin ni Romero.

“The minors involved are ‘children’, period. The threat of violence extends to all children and not just ‘Lumad children’.  I implore our brave and upright police officers, in all their future operations to please, regardless of ethnicity, religion and social status, spare the children,” dagdag pa ni Romero.

Naniniwala rin ang kongresista na batay sa mga ipinakitang larawan at video, mahirap paniwalaan na rescue operations ang nangyari.

“On the contrary, there was much screaming, cries for help, commotion and struggle. Clearly, there is something remiss in the subject police operation. Clearly, the subject incident led to distress, agony and even trauma to the children,” diin pa ni Romero.

Nangangamba naman si Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante na maiugnay sa implementasyon ng Anti-Terrorism Act ang insidente.

“I am one of those opposed to the Anti-Terrorism Act because it can be subject to abuse, and it might be the very reason for them to be arrested. The new law being questioned before the Supreme Court might be abused,” sabi ni Abante.