PASAKA

Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao

c/o Diakonia Center , IFI Compound, F. Torres St. , Davao City

Tel Number: 305-0824 Email: yutangkabilin@yahoo.com

Press Release

MANOBO TRIBAL COUNCIL WARNS OF ANOTHER PANGAYAO IF MILITARIZATION STEPS UP

SALUGPONGAN TA TANU IGKANUGON, the Talaingod-based lumad group chaired by Datu Guibang Apoga together with council of elders, warns that the traditional “pangayao” or tribal war may ensue if a repeat of the January military operations happens.

In a third open letter sent to the media by Salugpongan, Ata-Manobo tribal leaders of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte denounced the human rights abuses perpetrated against their people during the course of the military operations which started January 7 this year that went on for about two weeks.

According to the Salupongan statement, “nabalaka kami pag-ayo human sa gipatawag nga miting sa mga sundalo sa mga tribal lider ug katawhan diri sa Talaingod nga ila na usab kaming gihulga nga balikan pagsulod ug pag-atake sa mga sundalo ang among populasyon nga sa bag-ohay lamang nilang military operation kami nakahiagom og mga pagpangabuso sa among mga ginsakpan sama sa pagkamatay, pagpanunog, pagpangawat ug pagpangdaot sa among mga lumadnong kabtangan ug pagpamomba… Nabalaka kami nga moulbo pag-usab ang tradisyunal nga pangayao sa among lugar tungod sa gihaling ug gisugdan kini sa mga sundalo sa ilang pagpangabuso ug pagpangbiktima kanamo.”

SALUGPONGAN also decried renewed attempts of local and foreign logging investors to encroach on their territory. Back in the 1990’s more than 1, 000 lumads from Talaingod were forcibly displaced when the Ata-Manobo’s led by Datu Guibang Apoga opposed Alcantara and Sons’ logging operations in the area.

Meanwhile, PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao asked the military to respect Salugpongan's demands, invoking the rights of indigenous peoples to live without any threat on their lives and other indigenous rights stipulated in the newly-adopted United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

PASAKA stated that the long tale of military abuses against the lumads of Talaingod has diminished the Ata's faith on the government and its armed troops.

“What the Philippine military is doing on the ground contradicts the Philippine armed forces' motto which is purportedly to 'win the hearts and minds of the people.' Instead, their brutish and inhumane acts make them enemies of the lumads and the people,” Mel Elio, PASAKA's chairperson said.

He added, “They have lived through a history of colonization and resistance and they have until now asserted their rights to their ancestral lands. Salugpongan's struggle against the evils of development aggression and militarization gives pride to the thousands of lumads and indigenous peoples worldwide who are fighting for their rights to land and life.”###

For Reference:

Mel Elio

PASAKA Chairperson

Manoling Tingkas

Salupongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Spokesperson