Karapatang Pantao Main Story

Groups slam military for reneging on agreement with indigenous people


A network of child rights advocates slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for occupying a Manobo community as base of military operations despite an agreement with leaders of the tribal group. In a protest in front of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the Save our Schools Network (SOS Network) said that AFP’s 68th Infantry […]

Defiant Manobo children  Macky Macaspac
Defiant Manobo children. Macky Macaspac

A network of child rights advocates slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for occupying a Manobo community as base of military operations despite an agreement with leaders of the tribal group.

In a protest in front of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the Save our Schools Network (SOS Network) said that AFP’s 68th Infantry Batallion, 1003rd Brigade, Philippine Army agreed to leave the community of Manobo tribe in Sitio Nasilaban, Brgy. Palma Gil, Talaingod town in Davao del Norte and encamp away from civilian populace.  But instead of leaving the area, the military encamped at the heart of the community according to the group.

Community leaders confirmed that soldiers are now encamping in the purok hall used by Manobo’s for their community meetings,” said Madella Santiago, spokesperson of the SOS network.

Alternative news site Davao Today reported that the Department of Education (DepEd) Region XI met with the military together with school administration of Salugpongan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) and the Mindanao Interfaith Services, Inc. (MISFI) in a dialogue on November 6.

The DepEd urged the military to spare the indigenous peoples’ schools and requested to move a little bit further away from the community and school.

“They (military) are violating national and international laws, which provide protection and safety of civilians from military encampments in populated areas, they themselves don’t honour their own words,” said Santiago.

They also accused soldiers of forcing residents to sign a document belying claims a tribal leader that drunken soldiers went on a shooting spree last October 11-17.  “The soldiers have threatened us, (and said) that those who will not sign the paper are no doubt a supporter or member of NPA (New People’s Army),” said Datu Teody Mansimuy-at, one of the tribal leaders of Salugpongan.

The group blamed the government’s counter insurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan, for massive combat operations in Mindanao.

“(Oplan Bayanihan) continues to deprive Lumad (people) of their rights, especially the right to education. We are challenging the AFP to honor their words and adhere to the national and international laws and instruments. We demand their immediate pull-out from the communities,” Santiago added.

Progressive lawmakers under the Makabayan bloc, meanwhile, filed a resolution calling for a congressional investigation.