Lumad evacuees stage own Sona

AT THE United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) Haran Compound in Davao City, lumad evacuees on Monday aired their grievances in their own “Sona (State of the Nation Address) ng Bayan.”

Forced to flee their homes because of the heavy presence of soldiers in their communities in Talaingod and Kapalong, Davao del Norte, the evacuees sought refuge at the UCCP Haran compound.

But in recent weeks, they were asked by the police to leave and return home.

Militants earlier marched the city streets to the UCCP Haran compound.

Benito Bay-ao, council leader of Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon, said the lumad refused to return home unless the government pulls out the soldiers in their schools and community.

He slammed the President for intensifying military attack against their schools and communities. “We are forcibly recruited to take up arms to fight the New People’s Army,” Bay-ao said.

“That’s what we experienced from soldiers and the paramilitary group Alamara in our communities. We are stopped from working in our farms, we are constantly threatened, our women are being raped. This is the reason why we fled our homes and evacuated,” he said.

In General Santos City, militants also marched around the city before holding a rally at the plaza. A similar protest rally was held at the Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro City.

In Cotabato City, militant groups called for a stop to human rights violations which they claimed remained rampant during President Aquino’s term.

The protesters, led by Suara Bangsamoro, marched through major city streets here toward the city plaza.

Jerome Sucor Abas, Suara spokesperson, said the Aquino administration has devised a truckload of lies and given empty promises and lip service, especially to the Bangsamoro.

“These lies will surely be repeated again during today’s Sona of President Aquino,” he said.

The group also lashed at allies of President Aquino for delaying the passage of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the group said will bring peace in troubled Mindanao. Germelina Lacorte, Aquiles Z. Zonio and Edwin O. Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao