118. The same goes for all other abuses committed by soldiers, upon proper
investigation and finding of guilt.
119. The AFP must respect its constitutionally-assigned role as protector of the
people.
The Deplorable Living Conditions in the Haran Compound
as an Evacuation Camp
120. The UCCP Compound in Haran was not a conducive place for the
evacuation of the IPs. It posed more risks to the health of the IPs, and the
specific situation of those from vulnerable sectors, like women and children,
was far from desirable.
121. Of the almost 700 Lumad encamped in the Haran UCCP Compound,
392 or 62% were children (210 boys and 182 girls). They belonged to the
Manobo, Mandaya, Matigsalug and Tigwahanon ethnolinguistic groups.
Area of Origin
Talaingod, Davao del
Norte
Kapalong, Davao del
Norte
San Fernando, Bukidnon
White Kulaman, Kitao-tao,
Bukidnon
Total IP Children
Ethnic Origin
Boys
Girls
Total
Manobo
80
72
152
Mandaya
77
57
134
Tigwahanon
52
51
103
Matigsalog
1
2
3
210
182
392
122. A child is defined by law125 as a person below 18 years of age, or those over
18 but unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from
abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or
mental disability or condition. Having been encamped inside the Compound
under such conditions for several months, the rights of Lumad children
violated, abused, or derogated are:
123. Survival Rights – Survival rights refer to the provision of needs basic
to the child’s existence. From the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(UNCRC),126 Article 6 refers to the child’s inherent right to life and
development; Article 24 points to the highest attainable standard of physical
health, food and water; while Article 27 mentions the right to adequate
standards of living. Lumad children had been inside the Compound for more
than five months at the time of the CHR visit. They were living in tents and
other makeshift shelters. Obviously, given their encampment, they were
separated from their original abode and natural environment (rivers, sources
of water, forestry), cut off from the ties of their respective communities,
125 Section 3a, RA 7610.
126 Signed in 26 January 1990 and ratified by the Philippine Government on 21 August 1990.
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