A GROUP of lawmakers in the House of Representatives filed a resolution calling for an impartial investigation, in aid of legislation, of the killing of Lumad teachers in New Bataan, Davao de Oro.

Bayan Muna Representatives Eufemia Cullamat, Carlos Isagani Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite, together with Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago filed House Resolution 2500.

The lawmakers described the incident as a brutal massacre of unarmed civilians which is a gross violation of International Humanitarian Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

They added that any form of state-sponsored harassment, threat and most the killing of volunteers in marginalized communities is unacceptable.

“An immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation is urgently needed to clarify the circumstances surrounding the killing of Chad Booc, Jurian Ngujo II, Elgyn Balonga, and their two other companions,” they said.

They added that remote indigenous communities in Mindanao have been denied access to education and health services by the state.