Posts by tag: Human Rights

Before the Agusanon Manobos were displaced due to intense military operations in this province, they were Typhoon Pablo survivors who had to rebuild all over again their ravaged houses and damaged farms.

Part 1 in a 3-part series

While the streets of Davao reverberated with dances and chants during the Kadayawan parade over the weekend, 500 Lumad evacuees saluted their own escape from threats to their lives and safety.

The other day, more or less 500 Agusanon Manbo from Loreto, Agusan del Sur sought refuge in the City of Davao, not to rejoice for the “good harvests” as the city annually celebrates KADAYAWAN, but to tell their stories of fear, anger and desire for justice, peace, equity and inclusion.

This Agusanon Manobo family sleeps off their exhaustion in Bankeohan Gym after riding eight hours to Davao City to seek refuge. Some 500 Manobos fled their village in Loreto, Agusan del Sur from military troops 24, and were not welcomed by their governor when they sought his help. (davaotoday.com photo by MEDEL V. HERNANI)

“Unsaon namo pag-uli nga naa pa may gyera didto sa amoa?(How are we going home when there’s still a war going on there?)” said Jocely Andaliki “At least diri, safety among paminaw, di pareha didto sa amoa nga giabog mi mismo sa among gobernor, (Here, we feel safe, not like there where our governor drove us out).”

JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today

The Agusanons endured a grueling two-day travel circuiting two provinces. Starting Thursday, they walked four hours from their evacuation center in Barangay Kauswagan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, crossed a river to reach the neighboring Laak, Compostela Valley. Then they took a bus that brought them to Tagum City in Davao del Norte at night. Friday morning they traveled to Prosperidad and held a camp-in until provincial officials responded.The Agusanons took this circuitous route to steer clear of the military.

By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today

Juanita Loreto said prior to the military operation, the Bagani members had been going around the community forcing them to sign a “tie-up” agreement with a company to build a plantation for tuba-tuba (jathropa) and biograss.”We refused their demand for us to ask to sign a blank paper that would sell-off our land to the company,” she said.

by John Rizle Saligumba
Davao Today

Initial reports from Karapatan Southern Mindanao showed that Agusanon residents fled on Sunday from Barangays Kauswagan, Sabud, Mansanitas and San Mariano. The residents along with 224 children evacuated to Barangay Kauswagan Elementary School.

A month after the New People’s Army captured five soldiers in Paquibato District, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Southern Mindanao said its “Revolutionary Court “ is reviewing the cases of the captives “as thoroughly as possible” so that the latter’s “direct culpability “ or “innocence “ is “meticulously established.”

Estrilla Basilisco pleas for the release of her son, alyas John, a Lumad minor who was detained by members of the paramilitary in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. Estrilla denies allegations her son is an NPA. (davaotoday.com photo by MEDEL V. HERNANI)