This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 15, May 22-28, 2005
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Thriving Valley Hit by
Humanitarian Crisis
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 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. 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."
© 2004 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
Conclusion
Bulatlat
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
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