‘Lumad’ protesters converging on capital to bring plight to the people

THE GOVERNMENT is sympathetic to the plight of the “lumad” or indigenous people facing increasing threats in Mindanao, Malacañang said yesterday, a day before a protest caravan of 700 lumad refugees was to arrive in Manila.

Speaking on government Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. appealed for understanding of the government’s efforts to restore order and stability in lumad settlements, some of which had become a hotbed of strife between paramilitary forces and insurgents.

“The government continues its efforts to establish peace and development in these areas to ensure the delivery of public services to our people,” Coloma said.

He noted the government’s strong condemnation of the assassination of Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza and his son in Agusan del Sur last week.

The communist New People’s Army claimed responsibility for the killings, which a spokesperson described as punishment for war crimes and to give justice to the thousands of lumad and peasants “terrorized by their tyranny” in Loreto and surrounding towns.

Coloma, however, said Otaza was one of the strong advocates of peace and development of the Manobo and lumad communities in the province.

Some 700 lumad refugees are expected to arrive in the capital today for the “Manilakbayan” protest caravan, in which they hope to demonstrate their struggle to put a stop to militarization in their communities.

A campout will be held on the campus of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, starting today (Monday) until Oct. 31. DJ Yap