STEADFAST. Datu Boy “Mansuladlad” Amado, council adviser of tribal group, Tagdumahan, in Agusan, narrates his tribe’s experience in Barangay Balit’s militarized communities during the dialogue attended by local government and military officials on Wednesday morning at the barangay hall of Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.(Contributed photo by Kalumbay, Northern Mindanao)
DAVAO CITY – The Army announced it would pull out from the communities in Barangay Balit, municipality of San Luis, Agusan Del Sur following a dialogue with residents and local officials on Wednesday morning.
In a statement released by the tribal group, Kalumbay, chairman Jomorito Goaynon said Lt. Col. Ricardo Dumawa, Battalion Commander of the Army’s 26th IB promised “to pull out from civilian facilities and cease camping near populated areas”.
Local officials, represented by Agusan del Sur governor Adolph Edward Plaza and San Luis Mayor Ronaldo Corvera also reminded Army officials that these were prohibited acts as they also assured the Lumads of a safe passage and food assistance when they return to their communities.
During the dialogue, a letter was presented to governor Plaza and Mayor Corvera by tribal leaders.
The letter narrated how the military operations and the army’s conduct of Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) led to the string of human rights violations in the community.
The incidents include the killing of village chief Necasio Precioso, Sr who was shot dead on the morning of December 22 last year at Km. 2, Nuevo Trabajo, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. Precioso was a staunch critic of the military’s COPD in their barangay.
The letter also included the incident where two staff including four children of a non-government organization who established a community school, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), were fired at by soldiers.
(Related story: Military helicopter fired at civilians in Agusan del Sur – report)
Aside from asking the pull out of the Army in their communities, they also asked investigation of human rights violations allegedly committed by members of Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu). The letter was signed by Julieto Otacan, general secretary of Tagdumahan; Datu Boy “Masuladlad” Amado, vice council adviser of Tagdumahan; Franklin Campos, spokesperson of Kasalo-Caraga; and Datu Jomorito Guaynon, deputy secretary general of Kalumaran and chairman of Kalumbay.
The municipal mayor volunteered to visit one of the eight Lumad schools which ceased operations after being affected by militarization to better know the program and its staff for local coordination.
Goaynon said “the key to the success of the campaign was the courage mustered by the lumads to face the armed forces who terrorized their communities.” (davaotoday.com)
