These Manobo children enjoy a moment in Bankerohan Gym, happy that they will be going home to Loreto, Agusan del Sur and at the same time happy that they were treated by concerned citizens to the beach in Toril. Their families are guaranteed safety to return home after an agreement brokered by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza assured the pullout of troops and cease of military operations. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
This elderly Manobo couple look serious even with the good news that they will finally return home to Loreto, Agusan del Sur after an agreement was signed with Mayor Dario Otaza to pull out the troops from their village and rehabilitate their farms. Some 500 Manobos stayed in Bankerohan Gym for 18 days since August 7 in protest of military operations in their village. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
This cultural activist is all smiles as she sings for the Manobo evacuees in a solidarity activity Friday at the evacuation gym in Bankerohan Gym. Some 500 Manobos will finally return to their villages in Loreto, Agusan del Sur after their mayor Dario Otaza signed an agreement to stop military operations and help rehabilitations of their farms. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
Dr. Chito Medina of farmers support network MASIPAG (left) and Atty. Lee Aurelo of Third World Network (center) call for local and national laws to stop genetic-modified crops in the country for its negative effects on health, income and organic crops. They were resource persons in a forum last Thursday at Lispher Inn with City Councilors to discuss the banning of GMOs. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
Loreto, Agusan del Sur Mayor Dario Otaza (in white shirt) finally showed up in a dialogue Thursday at Men Seng Hotel with the Manobo evacuees and concerned groups including Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte (left) to reach an agreement to pullout military and paramilitary troops in their communities so they can return. The Manobos also demanded seedlings from Otaza to make up for the planting season they lost due to their evacuation. (davaotoday.com photo by Ace R. Morandante)