Sister of Benjie Planos, slain leader of the Agusan Manobo group, wails and clings to his body during his burial on Tuesday. Planos’ murder comes weeks after the Manobos returned to their community after an agreement to stop militarization in their community in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. The Manobos pin his murder on paramilitary and soldiers. (davaotoday.com photo by Earl O. Condeza)
Benjie Planos, a Bisaya settler living among the Manobos, and other leaders of KASAKA had been receiving death threats from the Philippine Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion and the paramilitary group Bagani. the militarization, KASAKA leaders said, is linked with the entry of New Britain Palm Oil Ltd, which is eyeing KASAKA’s ancestral domain.
The Manobos will return to Loreto, Agusan del Sur carrying seedlings and farm tools from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who helped facilitate a dialogue with their Mayor Dario Otaza to guarantee the pullout of troops and their safe return. The Lumads received seedlings of corn, mango, peanuts, mangosteen and Cacao, and farm tools. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
Manobo youths wave to support groups who helped them during their 18-day stay in Bankerohan Gym, as the Manobos finally returned home Saturday morning to Loreto, Agusan del Sur when they clinched an agreement with their mayor to pull out troops in their villages and to provide them with seedlings and farm tools. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
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)