“WARS of Extinction,” the first book produced by the Mindanao Interfaith Institute on Lumad Studies, was successfully launched at the Xavier University Little Theater on Saturday.
The program was dedicated to the indigenes of Mindanao, who are at present among the most vulnerable communities to attacks of human rights violations and abuses. This was in time for the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
The author, Prof. Arnold Alamon, reminisced his public foray into the discussion of peace in the same venue some years ago. It was an inter-school debate with the proposition: “Should the communist rebels be given general amnesty by the government?”
“I remember pleading to the opposing team to take the matter seriously and lamented that if the real negotiations mirrored their flair for comedy and histrionics, instead of debating on substantive matters on the root causes of why Filipinos rebel against government, then there would be no chance for peace in this land,” Alamon said. “Twenty-five years later, at the XU Little Theatre again, I am still making the same appeal for a just and lasting peace in the two books that were just launched.”
Among the program’s guests were Lumad leader Jomorito Goaynon, also known as Datu Imbanwag, the chairperson of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization, who represented the Lumad communities in receiving the book offering of Alamon.
Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, also graced the event, and also received a book offering from the author.
The book was launched together with the Mindanao introduction of “The Nation in Our Hearts,” also by the same author, published by the University of the Philippines Press. The latter book is a compilation of selected columns of Mr. Alamon.
The Mindanao Interfaith Institute on Lumad Studies is a research and media institution supported by the European Union through the project, “Healing the Hurt,” lead-implemented by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Sub-Region.
Other books dissecting issues of mining, agribusiness plantations, logging and of mega-dams are coming out soon, while the volumes on the mental health effects of militarization, paramilitarism, review of laws impacting Lumad communities, and on Free, Prior and Informed Consent will be released before the year ends. (RMP-NMR)
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