As the country joined the global observance last August 9 during the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, an organization of tribal communities deplored the Aquino administration for having made them “sacrificial lambs” for the government’s various projects and programs.
US-based and Fil-am delegates who participated in a recent International Solidarity Mission deplored the rights abuses they saw in several areas in Mindanao.
During the day, they shared food and waited amid the sweltering heat outside the gym. At night, they slept on cartons or on the cold floor. They waited for three nights and four days, only to be told they were waitlisted for the next claims board registration.
Filipino-American delegates to the recent International Solidarity Mission in Mindanao were “dismayed” with Philippine government over what they observed as "its negligence to attend to the basic social services of its people".
“In every area, it’s almost like this. Let’s say it’s a little difficult and we are trying our best to improve it,” said Gascon who also saw “long queues, long lines” in their trips to Baguio, Legazpi and other provinces in Luzon and in Cotabato, Butuan and Cagayan de Oro.