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More than 70 indigenous organizations from across Asia urged President Benigno Aquino III to put an end to the killings and attacks against the Lumad of Mindanao.
“We are here to bring the bad news of the attacks on the people of Mindanao. But we also bring the good news, that we are not afraid, that we know why this is happening, and that our actions are just.”
“We are Filipinos, too. We should fight for each other’s rights.”
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“This is not just seeking sanctuary, but also our protest, to demand respect for us indigenous people, not just in Mindanao, but the whole country.”
“A resolute action is needed now to protect the Lumád way of life and to give the future generation the opportunity to interact with and learn from our indigenous tribes.”
“Moses said, ‘Let the people go.’ But today, we are asking to ‘let the people come.’”
A month-long campaign unites people from Mindanao with those in the Visayas and Luzon, to get the attention of the “center” – Metro Manila – the source of power, policies and indifference.
“If they are able to do surveillance inside campus, we can only imagine the magnitude of repression the Lumád experiences in Mindanao.”
“We promised our family we would seek justice no matter what hardships we encounter. The Manilakbayan will be just one among many journeys we will take to achieve this.”
“The efforts of the school to help us improve our lives have long been vilified. The government said our teachers taught us how to handle guns and rifles. That is a lie.”
"The truth about the killings and forcible evacuation has been clear since the first week of the incident, yet in the delay, many lies have been forcefully fed to the public to justify the systematic military operation against Lumad schools, progressive organizations and communities in Mindanao.”
“By experience, tribal leaders who were repeatedly branded and investigated by soldiers end up dead.”
Bulatlat.com compiles its articles on Lumad paramilitary groups in Mindanao, which show a worsening trend from the Arroyo regime to the current Aquino administration.
“The recent slapping of trumped-up charges of kidnapping and homicide against us 69 individuals bares the despotic and authoritarian nature of this regime.”
“I do not understand why the military is attacking our schools. They do not know its impact on our community.”
The GPH should respect previously signed agreements especially the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
Even as the grief and rage over the spate of killings in Surigao del Sur has yet to wane, another Lumad activist was slain in the neighboring province of Agusan del Sur.
“This is an effort and initiative of the local farmers’ organization who wished to have a secondary school near them to cater farmers and indigenous peoples.”
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Like their students, the young teachers of Alcadev are just as afraid and traumatized. But the tragedy was the crucible that strengthened their resolve to continue to serve and teach the Lumad youth.
In spite of military denials of links with paramilitary groups, Army soldiers and the paramilitary group Alamara continue to hold sway in southern Mindanao.
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