THE NATIONAL Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict plans to file new charges against the seven Lumad teachers and volunteers who were recently released from detention.

The task force said the seven will be charged with violating the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997.

“This is a separate and distinct offense. Separate special offense from the criminal case,” Atty. Marlon Bosantog, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for legal affairs and Indigenous People’s concern, said.

The task force, however, did not specify what the violations were.

The provincial prosecutor of Davao del Norte previously dismissed for lack of probable cause the charges filed against the ‘Bakwit School 7’ who were arrested by the police in an operation in a Lumad school in February.

The seven — Chad Booc, Segundo Lagatos Melong, Benito Bay-ao, Moddie Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Oribawan, Roshelle Mae Porcadilla and Jomar Benag — were charged with serious illegal detention, Child Abuse Law, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and kidnapping.

Bosantog said that the case was dropped for lack of jurisdiction. He clarified that there were findings in the prosecutor’s resolution that the elements of the crimes were actually committed.

“It just so happens that the crimes committed were out of jurisdiction of Davao del Norte, so the filing of the case is improper,” he said.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, also a spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC, said the task force will file a motion for reconsideration.

“This is only the first round, and we’re sure to win this, the resolution said there were crimes committed and it’s just a question of jurisdiction. That’s a very big win for us,” she said.

Save Our Schools Network denounced the task force, saying it does not “genuinely uphold the interests of the indigenous peoples.”

“The anti-communist task force has used its P19-billion funding to further its red-tagging spree and subjugation of Lumad communities asserting for their right to education and self-determination and defending their ancestral domains,” it said.