A woman watches over her sleeping child against the backdrop of slogans against militarization at the capitol grounds yesterday. Families from Sitio Kamansi, Barangay Banglay in Lagonglong town, Misamis Oriental evacuated as tension gripped their village again. (GSD File photo by nitz arancon)
- Advertisement -

By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondent .

THE Army would ensure the delivery of development programs to Kamansi, Lagonglong town in Misamis Oriental whether its tribal community wants it or not.

- Advertisement -

This, as the indigenes who fled from their homes to avoid getting caught in the crossfires between communist rebels and soldiers, have been itching to return to their tribal community.

Lt. Col. Roy Anthony Derilo, commander of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, yesterday said the military would push through with building a detachment near where the lumad evacuees live.

Derilo said the detachment would be finished in two weeks’ time.

“Dili ko musugot nga dili sila mahatagan og development. Mahadlok man ang mga provincial engineers ug mga contractors pagsulod sa mao nga barangay tungod sa presensya sa NPA,” he said.

Sariza Acosta, the spokesperson of Tagtabolon, said the dialogue they had with the military on June 8 was a failure because the 58th IB did not respect their request of not putting up of a military detachment near their tribal community.

“Dako ang among pagkadismaya sa 58th IB. Walay sensiredad ang ilang gina ingon nga dili na magsugod sa pagtukod og mga dalan ug tulay nga walay pagtugot namo,”” said Acosta.

For his part, Derilo said the military never agreed to pull out from the area during their dialogue with the evacuees, adding that it is the job of the military to protect the people from the communists.

“Dili ang komunista ang mo-kontrol, ang gobyerno ang mo-kontrol,” said Derilo.

He said the military was given the consent of a tribal group, the barangay, and the municipal government before soldiers started building the detachment.

Acosta however said that if the military’s intent is to secure their tribal community, then the detachment should be built away from civilians who could be caught in the crossfires.

“Kung ang tinuod ang ilang ginasulti nga gusto nila ug kalambuan namo, kinahanglan na nila muhawa didto aron makabalik nami,” said Acosta.

Derilo admitted that during the dialogue with the evacuees, they did not want the military near their community.

“Gusto nila didto mi layo sa barangay maghimo og detachment. Pero wa mi mosugot kay di pud mosugot ang mga contractor nga magpalayo mi kay mahadlok sila basin sunogon ilang mga equipment kun dili pangayuan sila og kwarta sa mga NPA,” he said.

Derilo said soldiers would stay in Sitio Kamansi until there is “development” in the area.

Meanwhile, Acosta said the evacuees are starting to get sick at the capitol grounds. She said the children must be going back to school and most are worried about the farmlands they have left in Sitio Kamansi.

Acosta called on the Lagonglong government and the National Commission of the Indigenous Peoples to help in making the indigenese stand for their right to live in a community that is not under military control, and not to live in constant fear. As for Derilo, he repeatedly emphasized that they would not leave the area unless it has been “fully developed.”

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -