The film made by Mindanaons (Director Arbi Barbarona hails from Davao) and portrayed by the Lumad themselves is enough representative of the Southern Filipino narrative located amid the hotbed of rebellion.
“Don’t just talk with the military and the mayor, talk also with the internally displaced persons, some of them don’t even have adequate communal facilities such as toilets.”
A hundred and fifty-eight Higaonons have again been driven away from their homes by the military in Sitio Camansi, Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.
The BBL Law does not recognize and allow the exercise of the Moro’s right to self-determination, which include the right to have their own Constitution, their own identity, territories, own justice system, finance, armed forces and laws to utilize their natural resources and wealth, among others.
“The local government is claiming our land but our elders know the land where they and the elders before them had lived. We put up this barricade in front of the marker delineating our CADT (Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title).
“This is by far the worst attack against the indigenous peoples.”
The family of slain Lumad youth Obello Bay-ao is appealing to the Department of Justice to investigate the case of his murder.
Lumad students and their teachers are still camped out at the Department of Education central office in Pasig City.
“As much as you, migrant workers all around the world are dreaming of coming back home with your families, we share with you our dreams, for our right to education, right to self-determination, a democratic government, and a just society.”
“We urgently appeal to the public in condemning the harassment of State security forces to the people, to communities and people’s organisations.”
Julito Otacan’s work is crucial for the project to take hold and help the lives of the Lumad communities