120 ‘lumad’ evacuees to leave Davao shelter

‘LUMAD’ SHELTER Ata-Manobo evacuees gather for a meeting at the Haran compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City. DENNIS JAY SANTOS/INQUIRER MINDANAO

DAVAO CITY—At least 120 Ata-Manobo people who have fled alleged military abuses in their communities and sought shelter at a Church-run compound here will be going back to their homes in Bukidnon province in time for Christmas so they can “rebuild their lives,” one of their leaders said on Monday.

“We anticipate that it will mean going back to zero for us, such as planting kamote (sweet potatoes), other vegetable resources and root crops, and tending to our animals,” said Datu Jimboy Mandagit of the lumad (indigenous) clan in San Fernando town, Bukidnon.

Mandagit’s people are among some 800 Manobo who left their communities in Bukidnon and neighboring Davao del Norte province in March due to harassment and abuses allegedly perpetrated by soldiers.

Datu Mentroso Malibato of Kapalong town, Davao Del Norte, said the majority of the evacuees, who came from Talaingod and other parts of the province, would stay behind at the Haran compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) due to continued security concerns.

“Some of our fellow tribesmen were murdered just this year,” he said.

Malibato said his people had long wanted to go home but they were concerned about their safety, especially so that the military had intensified its counterinsurgency campaign in the countryside. “We have been accused of being procommunist,” he said.

By returning home, Mandagit acknowledged that his people could be facing grave risks, particularly from promilitary militia groups.

“I guess we just have to leave it to fate. We can’t stay here for long because many of the children are already suffering from illnesses,” he said.

UCCP Bishop Hamuel Galo Tequis said he hopes that those leaving the center would be able to resettle in peace. The church will welcome anytime those who choose to return if they feel that their lives are threatened in their villages, he said.

“It is part of our mission to help, and our church is considered a sanctuary of peace of whatever race, color, religion or political affiliation,” Tequis said. Dennis Jay Santos, Inquirer Mindanao