HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Thriving Valley Hit by
Humanitarian Crisis
Conclusion
For several years,
Manobo villagers of Andap Valley had been living in peace with livelihood
projects until government troops swooped down into their communities in
hot pursuit, they said, of NPA guerrillas.
By Tyrone Velez
Bulatlat
ANDAP VALLEY, Surigao
del Sur - Jenasque Enriquez, a Manobo tribal leader, voiced the question
of his townsfolk who wondered why the military would disturb their peace.
For the past decade, the lumads in Andap
Valley strove to rise from the
militarization that ravaged their villages in the 1980s. In mid-1990's
the Manobos from Lianga, San Agustin and Marihatag bonded in an
organization called MAPASU or Malungtaron Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod
(Protracted Struggle for the Next Generation) to launch livelihood and
literacy projects.
The past decade saw the rise of nine literacy schools, and some
cooperatives. This was done with the assistance of the Diocese of Tandag
and later with the Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS).
An agricultural demonstration farm was built in Han-ayan, Diatagon, Lianga
while the Lumad Schools won the Caraga Literacy Awards and is now the
official entry for the National Literacy Award.
Surigao del Sur remains among the poorest of the four provinces of Caraga
region. Ironically, the people continue to live in dire poverty when the
area is supposed to be lying on rich forest and mineral resources.
At its peak, there were said to be six big logging concessionaires
operating in the whole province, including SUDECOR of the Puyat Family,
and the PICOP Resources Inc. (PRI) and ARTIMCO. Presently it seems current
applications are largely related to mining.
Human rights advocates believe that more than hunting for NPA guerrillas,
the military operations had something to do with the rich gold, coal, iron
and chromite deposits in the area which remain as the top targets for
exploration and extraction that are now up for grabs from various local
and multinational business operations. A coal mining exploration by
Benguet Mining Corporation was also made in the 1980's.
Humanitarian crisis
The situation at the
evacuation center and reports on human rights violations escalating by the
day have prompted human rights advocates in Caraga region to call it a
"humanitarian crisis." However, Maj. Alexis Bravo, spokesperson of the
Army's 4th Infantry Division, dismissed the claim as "exaggerated."
Nevertheless, human rights group Karapatan continued reporting human
rights violations as two battalions of Philippine Army troopers belonging
to 58th IBPA and 6th Scout Rangers and members of the striking force of
the 402nd continued their military operations in the area.
Denying Karapatan's reportage the military has insisted, to quote the
spokesperson of the Army's 4th Infantry Division Maj. Alexis Bravo, they
have “safeguarded” the civilians in the area.
Human rights activists in the area however have called it outrageous when
Southern Command Chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza told reporters
"relentless efforts" had been implemented against “communist rebels” in
the towns of Surigao del Sur. The victims of the military were innocent
farmers, mostly belonging to the indigenous Manobo tribe inhabiting the
area, the rights activists said.
The crisis prompted the holding of a dialogue with Surigao del Sur Gov.
Vicente Pimentel on May 17. Pimentel assured the residents they can return
to their homes, and consented to their demands that government troops
should leave their villages at once.
On May 21, the Manigaons (tribal chieftains) issued a statement demanding
the withdrawal of all government forces in their communities, the release
of the four missing farmers from Makahunao, San Agustin, and the payment
of all damages and loss of properties. Bulatlat
RELATED ARTICLES
Troops Force Manobos To Flee Andap Valley (First of two
parts)
Photo Essay:
Suffer Thy Children
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