A day after Independence Day when protests were held in different areas in the country against the anti-terrorism bill, two Lumad students and their father Mongkel Tacalan, 66, was reported last seen accompanied by four police officers in Barangay Kisante, Makilala in North Cotabato.
Save Our Schools (SOS) Network announced on June 17 that media informed them the three were held inside the 39th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army camp after they were taken by the police last June 13.
“We fear that they were being intimidated, threatened or worst, they were tortured or being forced to appear in video that discredits MISFI academy just like with previous cases (May 6, 10, 12 and 26) all in North Cotabato Province,” said SOS Network.
The three were reported missing after leaving the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (MISFI) Academy the day after.
Mongkel appeared at MISFI Academy that day to fetch his 2 sons, aged 17 & 19, after community quarantine restrictions have been lifted in the province. Teachers noted Mongkel was escorted by four police officers and three people aboard a mobile police vehicle.
Mongkel Tacalan, 66 years old, appeared at MISFI Academy that day to fetch his 2 sons, aged 17 & 19, after community quarantine restrictions have been lifted in the province.
Teachers noted Tacalan was escorted by 4 police officers and 3 people aboard a mobile police vehicle. pic.twitter.com/63c63Wlod5
— Save Our Schools Network (@savelumadschool) June 14, 2020
The Tacalans were last seen aboard the police vehicle that took off at 11 am. But the MISFI teachers received a call the following day from Tacalan’s sister who said they haven’t arrived home and could not be contacted.
Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat strongly condemned the unjust “abduction” of the three on June 15 and the abduction of Elena Tijamo also on June 13 in Bantayan, Cebu.
The Lumad solon stressed how alarming that this has happened right before the signing into law of the anti-terrorism bill.
“Nakakabahala na itong mga pangyayari ngayon, wala pa ngang lagda ng pangulo ang Terror Bill nagsisimula na paghasik ng lagim ang mga kapulisan at mga militar. Naniniwala kami madadagdagan nito ang pagpapahirap at pagaaabuso sa tulad naming nasa oposisyon nahuhusgahan na terorista,” solon added.
[These events are disturbing, the terror bill has not even been signed by the president and the police and military have started to sow terror. We believe this bill will add to the oppression and abuses to those like us who are in the opposition and are being adjudged as terrorists.]
The bill, fast-tracked from May 29 and approved in Congress three sessions later, was condemned by all quarters of Philippine society—media, schools, lawyers, church, business, celebrities, etc. for the broad definition of terrorism that may be used against critics.
It also features an Anti-Terrorism Council made up of presidential appointees in the Cabinet who will have powers similar that to a trial court and a judge, such as designating terrorist tags and approving warrantless arrests.
The bill also prescribes 14 to 24 days of warrantless arrest and detention that many found to be violative of the Philippine Constitution that allows only up to three days even during martial law when the writ of habeas corpus is suspended.
 Academy the day after.){kind=link}