Women and children survivors of Typhoon Pablo from Compostela, Compostela Valley joined Thursday’s rally to dramatize their demand for food relief from government and stop the military encampment in their villages. Communities in Compostela said soldiers are deployed to protect the mining investment of San Miguel Company. (davaotoday.com photo by Ace R. Morandante)
By DAVAO TODAY
Hanimay Suazo of Karapatan Southern Mindanao who was with the medical team coming from Davao said there was chaos as they wanted to talk to provincial government officials to calm down the situation, especially when the adults were contained later by the police away from the children awaiting them. “They still have not eaten, it was like they were placed in a concentration camp,” exclaimed Suazo.
TYRONE A. VELEZ
Davao Today
Bernard Mondragon, spokesperson of Child Alert Mindanao, asked “What did ‘Tokhang’ accomplish?”
He said government’s view of ‘gangsterism’ as a peace and order concern shows government failure “to look at why poverty pushes them towards it.”
by John Rizle Saligumba
Davao Today
Initial reports from Karapatan Southern Mindanao showed that Agusanon residents fled on Sunday from Barangays Kauswagan, Sabud, Mansanitas and San Mariano. The residents along with 224 children evacuated to Barangay Kauswagan Elementary School.
By DAVAO TODAY
“Gipamusil mig sundalo, nakauniporme (We were shot at by soldiers in uniform),” a 13-year-old survivor said in a news footage by TV Patrol Davao.
By DANILDA L. FUSILERO
Davao Today
“Unsaon pa namo pag-tapping sa goma kay mahadlok man mi nga dudahan mi (nga mga NPA) kung naa nami sa among kaumahan (How could we go to work when they might find us in our farms and charge us as NPAs?)” one of the evacuees from Sto. Nino village told a local radio station here.
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
Gok said his tribe has been prevented from hunting the forests since the 27th IB was assigned in their area two years ago.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
With threats of ground invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces, Zarate said, “This will surely escalate the war and would only mean that more innocent Palestinian lives will be sacrificed.”
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
Paniza’s announcement came after a week the Davao City Council approved a resolution exhorting the military to pullout its detachments from civilian structures such as schools and village halls.
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
Alan said the soldiers also took the other belongings he was carrying. “They threw my shirts on the mud and trampled them. They even tore the malong (a native blanket) that I was bringing. They said it was proof that I was indeed an NPA,” Allan said.
