INDIGENOUS women leaders from four different communities in Mindanao perform a simultaneous ritual on Saturday, February 12 that seeks to ask for protection and guidance for Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid in the upcoming 2022 National Elections.
According to Elmalyn Abatayo, an Erumanen Menuvu leader in North Cotabato, the ritual, called Kanduli, in their language, is performed by a Walian, a ritual expert, who serves as an instrument to converse with the spirits.
“The Panrehiyun Katibuan ku kabahiyan Organization and the Federation of Small Coconut Farmers of San Luis (Banwaon, Manobo and Talaandig women) perform the Panawagtawag or Pamara to seek guidance and protection for the candidates Leni and Kiko who we are supporting, to receive protection and for voters to gain wisdom as the campaign season begins,” said Bae Kalalagan - Zenaida Mansiliohan, Talaandig Coconut Farmer leader in Agusan del Sur.
“We are campaigning for Leni because we believe that she is the key to genuine change. We aim to spread the word in indigenous communities of what Leni has done as a human rights lawyer and as a Vice President,” Mansiliohan added.
“Indigenous communities are victims of Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-insurgency campaigns and policies that have emboldened all forms of violence against indigenous women. We are not terrorists. We are carers of our land and natural resources. We hope to end the violence and demand justice. We cannot allow another leader that will instill violence in our communities. VP Leni’s bid for the presidency is a glimmer of hope among indigenous peoples and the marginalized sectors of society,” said Jennevie Cornelio, a Teduray indigenous woman leader in BARMM.
According to the 2021 Global Witness report, the Philippines ranked as the deadliest country in Asia for land defenders for 8 years. Many land and environmental defenders were killed in Mindanao and the trend has been observed under the Duterte Administration with cases of harassment, violence, and even death among indigenous peoples defending their right to their ancestral land, even during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“VP Leni Robredo has a deep understanding of our issues most especially the Ancestral Domain and land tenure rights because of her proven track record and experience working with farmers and indigenous peoples. Among the Presidential aspirants, she is the only one who mentions the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) that is crucial in our communities,” Jo Genna Jover, a Teduray from Maguindanao added.
The simultaneous ritual was organized by members of Katutubong Kababaihan para kay Leni at Kiko or K Kay Leni at Kiko, coming from different indigenous communities of Teduray and Lambangian in Sitios K'nakar and St. Fe, Brgy. Looy, South Upi, Maguindanao, of Erumanen Menuvu in Midsayap, North Cotabato and of Banwaon, Manobo, and Talaandig in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. The rituals also sought the protection and guidance for the Vice-Presidential bid of Kiko Pangilinan and IP senatorial candidate Teddy Baguilat.
“We need Senator Kiko as Vice President, a leader with a heart for the farmers and fisherfolks. We are also endorsing Teddy Baguilat who, when he wins, will be the first-ever indigenous peoples’ voice in the senate,” Abatayo ended. (PR)
