Angel Locsin remembers meeting ‘lumad’ leaders

SCREENGRAB FROM ANGEL LOCSIN’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

ACTRESS Angel Locsin on Tuesday took to Instagram to share her experience in meeting Manobo leader Dionel Campos and volunteer teacher Emerito Samarca, two of the “lumads” or indigenous people in Surigao del Sur who were recently killed allegedly by a paramilitary group being linked to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Locsin posted a photo of her with the lumad leaders during an exposure trip in 2009, saying that the lumads only wanted the best for their community.

“Dito nakangiti pa sina Tatay Emok at Kuya Dionel… Nakakalungkot na isipin na ganito ang sinapit nila, na ang kagustuhan lang naman nila ay magandang edukasyon para sa mga anak nila at sa susunod na henerasyon at maayos na pamumuhay,” Locsin said.

“Mababait sila, mahiyain, masisipag ang mga bata at nakakatuwa na zero-crime rate ang lugar nila. Nakita ko kung paano sila nagtutulungan bilang isang komunidad at kung paano nila pinagsisikapan ang kanilang mga pangarap. Ramdam ko kung paano nila pinapahalagahan ang kanilang paaralan at komunidad, ang nutrisyon, kalusugan, ang kalikasan, at kapwa tao,” she added.

Noting the strong military presence in the area, Locsin also recalled how they had to hide inside the pick-up truck they were riding just to pass through a military checkpoint, even if the mayor was with them.

“Nalaman namin na kahit silang mga taga-roon ay mas hinihigpitan pa sa pagpasok sa sarili nilang lugar. Kailangan pa ba nilang magpaalam kung pupunta sila sa kanilang “yutang-kabilin” (ancestral domain)? Bakit may paramilitary? Kung sanctuary ang mga paaralan, bakit may presence ng military kung saan pwede sila madamay sa conflict at magkaron ng takot — not to mention yung grabeng psychological effects sa mga kabataan?” she added.

Saying that the culture and rights of indigenous peoples should be respected, the actress urged her followers to share the story of the lumads to others.

“Nakikiisa po ako na respetuhin ang kanilang kultura at karapatan. At naniniwala ho ako na ang isang eskwelahan ay sentro ng edukasyon at isang sanctuario — at ang presensya ng militar ay hindi nararapat. Panawagan ko rin ang katarungan para sa mga pinaslang,” Locsin said.

Campos and Samarca, together with Datu Juvillo Sinzo, were killed allegedly by the Magahat Bagani group last Sept. 1.

The recent lumad killings will be the subject of a Senate investigation. YG