Sursur guv grants “doable” IP evacuees’ demand

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 21): Sursur guv grants “doable” IP evacuees’ demand

Surigao del Sur governor Johnny Pimentel assured the Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) evacuees who are temporarily seeking shelter at the sports center in Tandag City that they will only grant their “doable” demand.

 “Their demands are first, to catch the suspects of the killings of the three Lumad leaders from Lianga town. Second, is to make the military take responsibility of the said killings. Next, is to stop the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan in the province. Fourth, is to resume the national peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The last, more or less, is also to stop the military operations in the area. The only doable is their first demand, so if we will be able to catch the perpetrators soon then maybe we can make a compromise for them to return home,” Pimentel said.

Governor Pimentel explained that their other demands are not likely to happen for the reason that the military is clearly not involved in the said crime and that the Oplan Bayanihan program and holding the ntional peace talks are already beyond the provincial government’s jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, he also said that the families are well provided with food, water and that the local government unit regularly collects their garbage everyday.

Presently, from about 260 families or 3,200 individuals who have evacuated after five months, the remaining evacuees staying in the said area are only 2,486 individuals.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3021453356211/sursur-guv-grants-doable-ip-evacuees-demand