Around 2, 000 indigenous people and Moro from various regions in Mindanao converged at Leyte on Sunday, Oct. 9 for the Visayas leg of this year’s people’s national caravan dubbed as the Journey of the National Minorities for Self Determination and Peace. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Around 2, 000 indigenous people and Moro from various regions in Mindanao converged in Leyte Sunday, October 9 for the Visayas leg of this year’s people’s national caravan dubbed as the Journey of the National Minorities for Self Determination and Peace.
Earlier today, the Mindanao delegates was reportedly prevented by local police authorities from crossing the San Juanico bridge, citing security concerns by virtue of a standing Tacloban City ordinance which was issued after the Davao City blast incident.
Kerlan Fanagel, chairperson of Pasaka Confederation of Lumad Organizations told Davao Today the annual people’s caravan aims to “highlight the people’s struggle for a just and lasting peace.”
When pressed to comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s first 100 days in the office, Fanagel lauded Duterte’s anti-US posturing.
“The people’s resistance against US imperialism has become fruitful, with the president himself calling for the pullout of American troops who continue to sow seeds of state impunity and infringe on our country’s sovereignty,” Fanagel said.
The Mindanao delegates are now traveling to Sorsogon City. The group is expected to reach Manila on Oct. 13, 2016 at the University of the Philippines- Diliman campus for the “Kampuhan sa Diliman.” (davaotoday.com)
