Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts

Issue No. 41                         November 25 - December 1,  2001              Quezon City, Philippines







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When the Mangyans Came Down from the Mountain...

There are 73 of them, some still wearing the traditional bahag or G-strings. Instead of the soft earth or wooden floors that they are used to, they now sleep on cold, concrete floors covered by thin mats. There are no mountain trees to give them breeze, only an old and noisy electric fan to move the stale air inside the enclosed chapel where they have found refuge.

Getting used to the noise, pollution and the unfamiliar city is difficult. But they are definitely easier to endure than the bullets and beatings they have reportedly been receiving from the military.

BY ROWENA CARRANZA
Bulatlat.com
 

At least 15 families of Mangyans, an indigenous group living in Mindoro Island, decided to leave their homes and livelihood last Sept. 27 because of fear. They are now staying in the chapel of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Quezon City, more than a whole day's travel away from Mansalay and Bulalakaw, their villages in Mindoro Oriental. But more than the distance, the city is an entire culture and lifestyle away from what the gentle and simple Mangyans are used to.

Terrified

"Takot na takot po kami (We are so terrified), " said Pidong Maliwanag, one of the Mangyan elders in the group, when asked why they left their village.

According to him, many of their villagers have become victims of military atrocities. Last Sept. 22, he said, the vice president of a peasant organization in the province and his companion were abducted by the military and remain missing to this date. Two other 

community leaders, Roger Fernando and Rolando Cabagay, were killed right in front of their families. Another, a Buhid Mangyan named Rigmay Maranggat, was arrested on Sept. 30 by elements of the 204th Brigade Philippine Army based in San Mariano, Roxas.

Mangyans, he said, are being forced to serve as guides during military operations. If they do not agree, he said, they are beaten. Just like last Sept.27, he said, four Iraya Mangyans and a farmer were picked up, beaten and then forced to become military guides.

The military presence has also led to restrictions in their movements and actions. It has imposed a curfew in their area, forbidden residents to use flashlights and wear colored T-shirts and dresses. Residents are also not allowed to talk or shake hands with strangers. They are permitted to have food supplies sufficient only for three days' consumption.

The Mangyans also narrated how they are being forced to join the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), the government funded and trained paramilitary group. Leaders and members of progressive organizations in the island have been placed in the military's Order of Battle, a list of wanted persons, including seven members of the Samahang Pantribu ng mga Mangyan sa Mindoro (Tribal Association of the Mangyans of Mindoro).

"Habol Tamaraw"

The Mangyans blame their situation on "Campaign Plan Habol Tamaraw (Tamaraw Hunt)," the military operation named after the rare animal found only on the island. The campaign seeks to weaken the New People's Army (NPA) in the island by destroying its mass bases.

Nancy Rada of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, a human rights group, said there are now six battalions of Army, Special Forces and Scout Rangers in Mindoro. These are part of the 13 battalions presently deployed in the Southern Tagalog region under Task Force Banahaw headed by Col. Jovito Palparan.

She said that the towns of Mansalay and Bulalakaw are particularly being targeted because it was the area where Army Maj. Noel Buan, held by the NPA for more than a year, was released early this year.

Rada however said that the military is not simply in Mindoro for counter-insurgency purposes. She believes that the military is also there to protect lucrative mining operations in the island.

Season of pain

"Ang pasko ay sumapit/ tayo ang namamalipit/ sa hirap at pasakit/ dahil sa gobyernong ganid…(Christmas is here/ we are in pain/ from poverty and misery/ due to
a greedy government)"

Sung to the tune of "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit," a popular Christmas song, the Mangyans of Mindoro and some supporters entertained the few media members who attended their press conference last week.

Ver and Beli Montoya, residents of Baet, Mansalay, said they expect their Christmas to be even more difficult this year because of their situation. The two are among the few non-Mangyan in the group.

Beli's left leg is in a cast because of gunshot wounds on the leg and knee, while Ver uses a shoulder sling to support a wounded wrist.

They were hit when four men whom they know have been helping in military operations came to their house at around seven in the evening last September and, without a word, sprayed them with bullets. Luckily, their youngest child, a one-year old infant Beli was carrying at the time, was not hit.

To be able to walk again, Beli needs P50,000 for an implant that will support her leg.

Only their eldest child is presently with them. An aunt temporarily took in two of their six children and another relative took in the rest of the kids, including their baby.

Their kids who used to go to school have stopped going. Teachers said the children usually looked dazed and could not understand the lessons, apparently still in shock from the shooting.

When asked who would want them dead, Ver replied that both of them used to be active leaders of local farmers and women's groups. They quit though after military men kept harassing their organizations. It was not apparently enough to keep them safe.

Just like the biblical Joseph and Mary

The UCCP chapel is the Mangyans' third shelter since they came to the city. They first stayed at the St. Andrew's Seminary, then at St. Theresa's College. It is UCCP, however, which generously allowed them to stay long.

The Mangyans do not know where they will stay next. They even have a pregnant woman in the group who is due anytime to give birth. Yabud Ingay, 40, of Mansalay town will soon have her eighth baby.

But unlike the biblical Joseph and Mary, who were also seeking shelter and a place to have Mary's baby, Yabud has her entire indigenous community with her.

Returning to their land and homes on the mountain at this time is out of the question for the Mangyans. The terror generated by military presence is apparently greater than the strangeness of their surrounding and the discomfort they have to endure.

"Hindi po kami aalis dito dahil pagpunta namin sa aming kabundukan, kami po ay papatayin… hangga't may militar sa kabundukan hindi kami aalis (We will not go back because the military will kill us. As long as there are military men on the mountain, we will stay here)," declared Mang Pidong.

He said they are hoping to dialog with the president so they can present their plight. The Mangyans are appealing for the pull out of abusive military units in their area and the indemnification of the victims of abuses.   Bulatlat.com

 

 


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