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DOJ urged to dismiss ‘trumped up’ charges vs. Moro, indigenous peoples


Hundreds of Moro and indigenous peoples trooped to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday asking for the dismissal of "false" charges against some of their own.

The protesters, under the Kilusan ng Moro at Katutubong Mamamayan para sa Sariling Pagpapasya (Sandugo), challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to create a DOJ special task force that will review the charges for speedy resolution and immediate dismissal.

The group cited the human trafficking cases against five Lumad teachers in relation to massive evacuation of Lumad in Surigao del Sur last year; and criminal charges filed by the previous Aquino government against 200 IP leaders and advocates.

Sandugo said Duterte should dispose of the cases immediately "especially because most of the cases are in Mindanao."

Over 3,000 Lumad, Moro and other minorities from different parts of the country are now in Manila for the "Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan."

The groups call for their right to self-determination against militarization and the alleged plunder of indigenous ancestral domains by large-scale mining, agri-business plantations, and destructive mega dam projects. —KG, GMA News

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