Sarisa Acosta, a spokesperson of the group of evacuees from Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental who are staying at the capitol grounds reads a court summon in connection with a petition for a writ of habeas corpus against her and other lumad leaders. (photo by Shiela Mae Butlig)
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By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondent .

RELATIVES of evacuees who have sought refuge at the capitol grounds have accused 11 leaders of the group of indigenes of coercion and child abuse.

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The petitioners, supposedly represented by Bernie Langka Calimhay, Arante Langka Calimhay and Reboden Fajardo Hilogon, have asked a court to issue a writ of habeas corpus against leaders of the evacuees.

A writ of habeas corpus is a court order that commands an individual who has restrained another to produce the person being held at a designated time and place so that the court can determine the legality of the custody.

The two Calimhays are husbands of two of the evacuees. Bernie claimed to respresent his wife Alice and their four children while Arante supposedly represents his wife Inday Fe and four children.

Another, Reboden Fajardo Hilogon, claimed to represent evacuees Helen, Huliao, Merly and Bobot, all surnamed Hilogon, and Jimmy Fajardo.

The most prominent leader of the indigenes’ group, Sarisa Acosta, received her summon from the 19th branch of the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental yesterday.

There were 10 other respondents. They are Berny Coleta, Joley Coleta, Jonryboy Hilogon, Rachel Hilogon, Renaldo Ayuma, Jerry Basahun, May-may Coleta, Ernyo Udarby, Kulaw Udarbe, and Allana Cortez.

The seven-page subpoena was issued by Judge Evelyn Gamotin-Nery.

The respondents were ordered to show cause within five days from the receipt of the order why no writ of habeas corpus should be issued against them.

They were also ordered to bring Alice Hilogon and eight other supposed petitioners to court on Aug. 8.

But at least one of the supposed petitioners, Alice Calimhay, said she had nothing to do with the petition. She said she was surprised to see her name in the petition.

Alice and her children has been with the evacuees from Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, who have been camping at the capitol park since June.

She strongly denied that she is one of the petitioners and claimed her inclusion was without her consent.

Alice however said her husband Bernie, one of the evacuees from Lagonglong, went missing on Friday. She said Bernie left and never returned.

Alice denied that she and her children were being held at the capitol grounds against their will.

Acosta, one of the respondents, said she felt dismayed because “kanang mga pangalan sa petitioner naa mana sila dinhi ug wala mana sila nag-ingon nga muuli na sila. Nagkahiusa amung desisyon dinhi,” she said.

The petitioners accused Acosta’s group of “restraining the liberty through coercion and threats” of their families.

Since June 7, they said, the respondents have been “in full control,” and have been giving out “supervision orders and instructions” to the evacuees.

They alleged that since May 26, they were intimidated into leaving their homes in Sitio Kamansi, Barangay Banglay  in Lagonglong town.

According to them, the intention of Acosta’s group is to pressure the government to order soldiers to move away from Kamansi.

The petitioners also alleged that the Camansi evacuees were being forced to participate in rallies, and that they are not allowed to return to their village.

They said it was like restraining the liberty of the families without any legal authority and detrimental to the children’s welfare, health and upbringing “which is considered as child abuse.”

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