Bayan Muna Representative and Lumad leader Eufemia Cullamat on Tuesday strongly condemned the intensifying attacks against indigenous people, after a series of violations against indigenous peoples’ rights in Mindanao and Luzon.  

On February 29, around 67 Lumad families from the Manobo tribe were forced to flee from their communities to ensure their safety.

This was after three civilians, including a five-year-old child,  were injured from indiscriminate firing in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Residents report that the firing came from the direction of the military camp of the 75th IB built near the community.

“Malinaw na ginawa nilang human shield ang mga lumad na mapayapang namumuhay sa kani-kanilang mga komunidad” said Cullamat, herself a member of the Manobo tribe.

A week earlier, Lumad farmer Juanito Calipay, member of Lumad organization Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod was also arrested  on trumped up charges.  

In SOCSKSARGEN, a certain Rey Sungca, 25, along with  7 others, all members of Tboli tribe, were illegally arrested by elements of 27th IB at around 9AM on February 27 in Sitio Elnaw, Brgy. Klubi, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

The military accused them as members of New People’s Army (NPA), a scheme blatantly implemented under counter-insurgency program Oplan Kapanatagan and EO 70/NTF ELCAC.

“Malinaw na kaming mga katutubo ang sadyang tinatakot, hinaharas, sinusupil upang kami ay tumigil sa aming panindigang depensahan ang aming lupang ninuno” the Lumad solon added.

Apart from the displacement of Lumad people and attacks in the Tbolis in Mindanao and, indigenous peoples in Cordillera protested the red-tagging of the Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA). On Feb 19, the Mountain Province Municipal Police admitted to the red tagging and apologized after it distributed flyers redtagging members of the CPA.

“Walang ibang ginagawa ang gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng AFP, kundi ang sobrang paglapastangan sa dignidad at karapatan naming mga katutubo. Marapat na itigil na ito ng gobyerno at mariin din nating tutulan ang Human Security Act amendments dahil mas palalalain nito ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao,” she said.  

“This proves that gross violations of human rights have further worsened despite Duterte’s lifting of Martial Law in Mindanao,” she said.

“We call on the people to condemn such unlawful and fascist acts against lumad and ordinary farmers as well as end the attacks on civilians,” said Cullamat./Stacy Ang