In September 2015, 141 Lumad families from Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon evacuated to the Haran Compound.9 A similar exodus occurred in 1994, when Lumad families opposed to the entry of Alcantara and Sons, Inc., a logging company, sought refuge in the Haran Compound. The increased military presence again prompted Salugpongan members to evacuate to Haran in March 2014 and in February and May 2015. Evacuees alleged that the AFP and the Alamara,10 a paramilitary group, committed grave HR violations against Lumad in Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Bukidnon, involving massive militarization of ancestral domains, closure of schools, encampment of soldiers in schools, forced recruitment to the Alamara, rape, EJKs, harassments, and displacement, that forced hundreds of Lumad from Talaingod and Kapalong to leave their ancestral lands and to seek refuge in the UCCP Compound in Haran, Davao City. In the UCCP Compound, the Lumad endured deplorable conditions of cramped spaces, insufficient health services, and inadequate water supply, among others. Reports that some Lumad were held against their will prompted a rescue effort led by Congresswoman Nancy Catamco, Chairperson of the House Committee for Indigenous Peoples, the DSWD, and the PNP. The “rescue attempt” ended in a confrontation between the government and the “support groups” manning the Haran Compound. 9 Testimony of Rev. Hamuel Tequis, TSN dated 24 September 2015 – A.M. Session, p. 10. 10 Alamara as used by Datu Bontolan and other Lumad leaders inside the UCCP compound refer to a paramilitary group organized by the AFP. Rep. Nancy Catamco and the AFP disputed the existence of the Alamara as a paramilitary group and explained that Alamara in the context of Ata-Manobo culture refer to the congregation of bagani (warriors) from different tribes to address a common threat to IPs. According to the NCIP, there was an Alamara in accordance with Lumad customary law after the death of Mayor Jose Libayao allegedly at the hands of the NPA. 4