CONVERGE. Lumad and Moro from Mindanao converged at Calamba crossing Wednesday, Oct. 12, with the National Minority groups from Southern Tagalog. A program was held at the Calamba, Laguna, and onward they will be marching together to Manila. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
LAGUNA, Philippines — Thousands of delegates to the peace caravan of national minorities marched to crossing Calamba in Laguna for a symbolic “Salubongan” to signal the solidarity of the two contingents from different provinces in the country.
The leaders exchanged tribal cloths to symbolize unity followed by a short program with cultural performances.
The event was part of the national caravan for self-determination and just peace.
“We will not stop calling for justice for the victims of human rights violations until the state recognize and uphold the rights of the indigenous peoples,” says Arnel delos Santos, a Dumagat from Southern Tagalog said.
Datu Jimboy Mandaguit of Kaugalingong Igpapasindog tu Limadnong Ogpaan says that while he was happy with the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the New People’s Army, he is dismayed to find out that attacks against farmers and indigenous people in the country remains unabated.
The delegates will travel to the University of the Philippines Diliman for the “Kampuhan sa Diliman” on Thursday, October 13 where they will stay for two weeks.
(davaotoday.com)
