Several Lumad are in need of help after they were taken into custody by members of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Central Visayas office (PRO-7).

On Monday, February 15, 26 Lumad teachers, students, and elders taking refuge at the University of San Carlos–Talamban (USC) campus were captured by the Central Visayas Police, with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Police called it a “rescue operation,” while human rights advocates called it a “raid.”

A video posted by Save Our Schools Network shows children staying at USC screaming as police forcefully take them away.

Police have turned over the custody of the 19 detained minors to the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Cebu, while the 7 adults, including University of the Philippines alumnus Chad Booc, are still in the custody of the Central Visayas Police.

The 7 detained adults have so far been sued in Davao del Norte for serious illegal detention and kidnapping on Wednesday afternoon, February 17. Rappler has been unable to get a response from the Cebu police if the complaints were filed by the parents or other individuals from the province, where most of the Lumad school members came from.

The Save Our Schools Network (SOS) has launched a donation campaign to provide for the needs of the captured Lumad students, teachers, and elders.

According to the network, the detained Lumads were still not given provisions since Tuesday, February 16.

URGENT CALL FOR IN-KIND DONATIONS FOR THE NEEDS OF THE DETAINED TEACHERS, LUMAD ELDERS AND STUDENTS

DROP-OFF POINT: UCCP-West Visayas Jurisdictional Area, CENDET, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City. Look for Jophet or Karen.

Detainees have not been given any provisions since yesterday. pic.twitter.com/4x52nyGkXo

— Save Our Schools Network (@savelumadschool) February 17, 2021

SOS is accepting in-kind donations like food, water, clothes, sleeping materials, and hygiene kits for the detained Lumad.

You may drop off your in-kind donations at:

UCCP-Western Visayas Jurisdictional Area, CENDET, Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

Look for Jophet or Karen.

You may also send your monetary donations through the following channels:

BDO
Account Name: Lea Celine Lagundi
Account Number: 007680256591

BPI
Account Name: Claire Obejas
Account Number: 4499113264

GCash
Account Name: Jhonn Isidor Supelanas
Account Number: 09453813059

Paypal
E-mail address: supelanas@gmail.com
Link: paypal.me/supelanas

– Rappler.com