"As the Yuletide ceasefire between the BS Aquino regime and the communist rebels starts today, December 23, Karaparatan reiterates its call for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to totally pull out its troops and paramilitary groups in peasant and Lumad communities," Cristina Palabay, Secretary General of Karapatan said.
"As the Yuletide ceasefire between the BS Aquino regime and the communist rebels starts today, December 23, Karaparatan reiterates its call for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to totally pull out its troops and paramilitary groups in peasant and Lumad communities," Cristina Palabay, Secretary General of Karapatan said.
"The ceasefire would be meaningful if soldiers go back to their barracks to allow the peasants and Lumad to go back to their houses, if only to repair those that were destroyed by the military and start rebuilding their lives. After all, it has been four months since those displaced from Lianga, Surigao del Sur were living in a sports oval; and almost a year for those at UCCP-Haran. It is such a shame that BS Aquino and his cohorts are spending their Christmas in their usual luxurious fashion while the Lumad are in evacuation centers,” Palabay said.
"The human rights violations especially in Lumad communities continue without let-up, even after the 700-contingent of Manilakbayan attained broad public support. The demand to pull out the military from the communities to allow the thousands of evacuees to return to their homes this Christmas is ignored by the government,” she added.
Palabay cited the report from Karapatan-Caraga region that on December 17, Junrey Sagsag’s body was found dead near the Tibawan River, Brgy. Ferlda, Alegria, Surigao de Norte. Sagsag’s upper body was wrapped in a canvas while his lower body was buried on the ground. He was last seen on November 29 with elements of the 29th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army, forced to act as their guide during combat operations. Witnesses said soldiers cut up Sagsag’s leg.
Karapatan-Caraga also reported that from December 15 to 18, and as of this writing, the 36th IBPA bombed six communities in Brgy. Maitom, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. The military used aerial bombing and cannons on the communities. At least 600 Manobo were forced to leave their communities. A resident from Sitio Poog, Brgy. Maitom, Tandag City was reportedly hit by a bullet as armed men in military uniform strafed the community.
"Thousands of Lumad are still in Tandag Sports Complex in Tandag City and at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Haran in Davao City as soldiers and paramilitary groups continue to occupy their communities. A number of houses and crops were already destroyed; and soldiers already consumed the livestock owned by the Lumad,” added Palabay.
“The soldiers and the paramilitary groups have caused so much tragedy and chaos in Lumad communities and all over the country. If there is one thing that they can do something right for Christmas, it is to get out of the civilian areas and let the people live their lives," Palabay ended.