Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo has instructed all regional directors to closely monitor the situation of the evacuees in various evacuation centers . (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo ordered all field offices to monitor the situation of evacuees in various areas following the death of a two-year old Manobo child at an evacuation camp in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The boy who died due to pneumonia was among the 150 Tigwahanon Manobo Lumad from Cawayan, San Fernando, Bukidnon who were forced to leave their community on August 1, when they were allegedly attacked by paramilitary forces led by a certain Alde “Butsoy” Salusad.
The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines reported that the boy, identified as Charwin Amas had been suffering from diarrhea before he fell ill from pneumonia at the camp. The group also reported that 13 other children and 17 women are sick. Five of the women in the evacuation camp are pregnant, the group said.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 31 Taguiwalo said that the regional directors “should find means to assist refugees in whatever they can and said that the department will also coordinate with other government agencies on the same.”
“At the onset, the DSWD-Field Office X will assist the family by providing burial assistance for Charwin. We are also now coordinating with health authorities on how to help the other children and the women who have also fallen ill,” said Taguiwalo.
She said the employees and staff of all DSWD units “must all be conscious of our duty to be compassionate to those in need and to exercise what powers are within our means to give that compassion and to be of service to the needy.”
Taguiwalo also said that they are working on their plan to assist the Lumads for their return to their communities along with other agencies.
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate condemned the death of Amas and demanded for the disbandment and disarming of the militia group.
“Our government should not stand idly by while the persecution of Lumads in Mindanao remains unabated. We demand the prompt disbandment and disarmament of these paramilitary groups wreaking havoc and impunity in lumad communities,” Zarate said on Sunday, August 28.
He said Alde Salusad is the leader of New Indigenous Peoples Army for Reform (NIPAR) who are also said to be responsible for the killings of lumad leaders Datu Erning Mantugohan, Datu Abundio Mantugohan and Datu Jimmy Liguyon in 2012.
“We hope that the AFP uses its energy and resources in eliminating these enemies of the lumad people,” he said.
Thousands of Lumad are still housed in various temporary shelters in Tandag City, Davao City and Bukidnon. (davaotoday.com)
