Looking Back at the Lumad

CHEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer for following up on the plight of the Manobos in Surigao del Sur months after the killing of community leaders forced them to flee from their homes in September this year.

The Inquirer’s “3 months after, ‘lumad’ killings unsolved” published Dec. 7, 2015 reported that even after the hearings held by the Senate committee for human rights last October, the Lumad evacuees are still staying in a sports complex in Tandag City. The report said “some of the evacuees claimed they have received text messages warning them that they would be killed if they returned to their homes.”

Thousands of Manobos in Barangay Diatago, Lianga sought refuge in the city following the killings on September 1 of Emerito Samarca,  the executive director of  the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development; Dionel Campos, community leader and chairman of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang Sa Sumusunod; and his cousin Aurelio Sinzo. The killings were attributed to members of the paramilitary group Magahat-Bagani, allegedly a creation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Charges have been filed against the suspects, but no arrests have been made.

The Inquirer also published “Food aid to ‘lumad’ evacuees dwindling”on Dec. 8, which reported that food donations have decreased, adding to the deprivation of the displaced community. The report noted that the provincial government will be spending at least PHP700,000 per month on rice and canned goods. The report also quoted Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel as saying that “They will not go home because their homes are still not safe.”

These efforts by the Inquirer to look into the situation of the Lumad months after the attacks are commendable. A CMFR monitor earlier noted that “the reportage on the issue has given voice to and helped empower the Lumad communities, a minority group often marginalized in the media.” (“Adequate, but can still be improved,” Sept. 14, 2015)