and the AFP as the author of harassments and abuses against them. They cited specific instances of abuse which prompted some of them to seek refuge in Haran. 51. Rep. Nancy Catamco and the AFP, however, disputed the existence of the Alamara as a paramilitary group. She 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, such a congregation of bagani, in accord with Lumad customary law, arose after the death of Mayor Jose Libayao, allegedly at the hands of the NPA. 52. Claims of military-paramilitary collusion in the violation of HR of the Lumad prompted the Department of Justice, under then Secretary Leila de Lima, to conduct a probe on the role of “paramilitary groups” in HR violations against the Lumad.56 Disturbing reports reached the Commission, as well, concerning alleged paramilitary abuses against the Lumad. 53. From the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, paramilitary groups have been used to complement military counter-insurgency operations such as Oplan Kalatagan, Oplan Lambat Bitag, Oplan Makabayan, Oplan Balangai, Oplan Bantay-Laya, Oplan Katatagan, and Oplan Bayanihan. 54. On 10 July 1971, the Department of National Defense issued Department of Defense Order no. 445, creating the Barrio Self-Defense Units (BSDU) and other similar units. Placed under the direction of the Undersecretary for Home Defense, the BSDU was organized to assist the Philippine Constabulary in its counter-insurgency operations. 55. With massive and nefarious abuses ascribed to it, the BSDU was superseded by the Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces (ICHDF), created by Presidential Decree 1016 on 22 September 1976. An integration of all paramilitary units,57 it was created ostensibly for village defense, “capable of providing security to the community, helping to protect the lives and properties of the people against lawless elements, and assisting in the maintenance of peace and order, in coordination with the law-enforcement agencies and the military forces operating therein.” 56. In 1986, Marcos was ousted during the People Power Revolution, installing Corazon Aquino as the new President. The present Constitution was ratified, which provided for “a citizen armed force which shall undergo military training as may be provided by law.”58 57. The Aquino administration issued Executive Order No. 275 on 15 July 1987, disbanding the CHDF and other illegal armed groups or private armies not recognized by the duly constituted authority. 56 Aries Joseph Hegina, De Lima forms team to probe ‘Lumad’ deaths in PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, 25 September 2015, accessed from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/725750/de-lima-forms-team-to-probe-Lumad-deaths. 57 Section 2, Presidential Decree 1016. 58 Section 4, Article XVI, 1987 Constitution. 14