Author: Paulo C. Rizal

A young boy exhibits his agility by climbing the coconut tree with ease at the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Incorporated School (MISFI) compound in Barangay Kisante, Makilala, North Cotabato. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

In a Lumad ritual called pamaas, blood from a slain chicken is smeared onto the palms of some 30 activists who will be immersing in the different Lumad communities of Mindanao. The ritual is said to be asking the spirits for the protection and safety of the delegates. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

A young child drinks from the cupped hand of an older playmate inside the UCCP Haran compound in Fr. Selga Street, Davao City. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

Young Lumad children stage an interpretative dance to tell the story of their community in front of human rights activists from Europe, Asia, and Latin America in UCCP Haran, Davao City on Saturday, July 16. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Chief Isidro S. Lapeña said that alleged top drug lord Peter Lim's surrender to President Rodrigo Duterte is a very good indication of the success of the new administration's campaign against illegal drugs. While Lim denied the allegations and hopes to clear his name, Lapeña said that Lim has been in the agency's rogues gallery before he assumed his position as director general. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)