Lumads bring cause to Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Lumads from Mindanao set a four-day visit to Cebu City schools to educate students about their cause of defending their ancestral lands against alleged militarization.

The Lakbayan ng Lumad sa Cebu started with a dialogue with students and faculty members of the University of San Carlos Technological Center in Talamban last Monday. During the event, a boodle fight was held.

The group also visited Cebu Normal University that day. Its itinerary included the Redemptorist Seminary.

On Tuesday night, the Lumads also conducted a Cultural Night in front of Parian Barangay Hall to forward their sentiments through entertainment.

Yesterday afternoon, they conducted the Visayas People’s Conference Against Lumad Killings at Saint Theresa’s College attended by the academe, concerned citizens, and the religious leaders, including Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Today, the Lumads will march to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, starting from University of the Philippines-Cebu.

They will also have a forum at the United Christian Church of the Philippines Center for Education and Development (CENDET) at 1 p.m. and a candle lighting activity at 5 p.m.

A humanitarian mission to Lumad evacuation centers will be held on December 19 to 22.

There are already 40,000 Lumad evacuees recorded during the Aquino administration.

In Surigao del Sur, there are 3,000 evacuees who are staying in evacuation centers. In Surigao del Norte, 150 families had been displaced after a tribal leader was killed in San Miguel.

About 1,000 evacuees had also evacuated in Sultan Kudarat. Last December 3, 200 individuals transferred to Matina, Davao City due to infantry attacks, while hundreds of Manobos had evacuated in Malaybalay, Bukidnon because of ammunition fires.

At least 74 individuals had already died due to alleged extra-judicial killings.

Jong Mozon, secretary general of the Confederation of Lumad Organization in Southern Mindanao (PASAKA), alleged that the Oplan Bayanihan implemented by the Aquino administration has affected the peace and order in Mindanao.

Mozon said the administration is protecting big mining corporations operating in the lands owned by the Lumads despite their opposition.  

“Naa’y rest in peace sa mga mobatok sa big mining companies,” said Mozon.

Femia Cullamat, council member of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU), is calling for a total pullout of military and paramilitaries from their ancestral lands.

Cullamat said it would be better if the military operations would end for them to at least start a new life. — (FREEMAN)