A SILDAP teacher holds classes in a chapel on a hill. GERMELINA LACORTE/INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO
North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco on Saturday denied reports that she insulted a group of lumad or indigenous peoples in Mindanao.
Catamco is accused of making disrespectful comments against the group during a dialogue at United Church of Christ in the Philippines Haran in Davao City.
READ: Lawmaker accused of ‘humiliating’ lumad
UCCP Haran serves as a temporary shelter for lumad who have left their homes because of alleged harassment by the military.
Catamco, chair of the House committee on indigenous peoples and cultural communities, has allegedly issued “humiliating and derogatory statements” against the group.
Militant lawmakers from the Makabayan group have quoted Catamco as saying in Bisaya: “Panguli na mo kay baho na kayo mo diri,” which they translated as: “You should go back to your homes because you are already stinky here.”
Makabayan group also slammed Catamco for inviting the military to the dialogue after she suggested a meeting between the lumad and the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples.
Catamco, however, in a statement said she did not mean to insult the lumad.
“The Haran compound is not a sanctuary. This is like a concentration camp, they are being treated inhumanely,” the lawmaker said.
She said the evacuees were crammed in makeshift tents without proper sleeping beds, enough food and toilets.
“Ayaw silang pauwiin at naka-kandado ang gate na walang basta makapasok,” she said.
Catamco challenged her critics to visit the evacuation area. “You visit them and see for yourself,” she said.