OVER 500 indigenous people and supporters from Talaingod, Kapalong, Asuncion, and surrounding areas gathered in Tagum City on July 16th to express their ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation.
The rally, held in front of the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, coincided with the recent court decision convicting former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and ACT-Teachers Representative France Castro, along with 11 others, for violation of Republic Act No. 7610 after they evacuated the IP children from Talaingod in 2018.
Datu Tungig Mansumuy-at, a former council member of Pasaka and former leader of the CPP-NPA-NDFP’s Komiteng Rebolusynaryo sa Munisipyo, emphasized the broader implications of the court decision for the IP community.
He said that while the decision represents a step towards healing past wounds, the issues raised by the Manobo tribe in their struggle remain pressing.
He asserted that the IP community will continue fighting for their rights, welfare, and interests amid the court’s verdict.
In a subsequent press conference, Kalinaw SEMR, an organization comprised of former CPP-NPA-NDFP members, shed light on the role of the Communist Party of the Philippines in the IP struggle.
Ida Marie Montero, a former secretary of the Southern Mindanao Region’s Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5), explained how the CPP, through its leadership of the New People’s Army and other revolutionary organizations, was instrumental in the construction, financing, and operation of the Salupongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon, Inc. Lumad school.
She also highlighted the CPP’s leadership of the Save Our Schools campaign, which aimed to garner local and international support for the IP schools and the Party’s guerrilla bases.
Speakers from the Manobo tribe, including former Salupongan school coordinator Juanito Bongcalas, former SRC5 Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU) commanding officer Lieutenant Apoga, and former Salupongan student and NPA fighter Henyo Ehem, described the difficult social and economic conditions that drive some IP towards armed struggle.
They emphasized the need to address these underlying issues to ensure lasting peace and development in the region.
Moreover, speaking at the Davao Peace and Security press briefing on Wednesday, July 17, Major Ruben Gadut, the 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said, “From the start, with the support of the 10th Infantry Division in the Indigenous People community in Talaingod we cannot prevent them from coming to the army battalion particularly the 56th IB and 60 IB to help them to voice out their voices.”
The 10th Infantry “Agila” Division assures the public that it is actively monitoring the situation and prepared to respond effectively to any challenges in fulfilling its mandate.
