Google map of Lianga town, Surigao del Sur.
Tribal chiefs in the Surigao del Sur town of Lianga have asked religious leaders to listen to the "genuine leaders" of the Manobo tribe that they say truly represent the interests of the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the area.
In a statement on Monday (March 9), Hawudon Jumar Bucales, Lianga's Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR); and Datu Constancio Duhac, the town's tribal chieftain, criticized Bishop Raul Dael of Tandag City Diocese and Bishop Emeritus Nereo Odchimar for opposing the proposed IP school that the government plans to put up in the towns of Lianga and Marihatag.
Last week, the Department of Education (DepEd), along with local and provincial officials, conducted ocular inspections in the two towns last week for the establishment of tribal schools in the neighboring municipalities.
But in an article published in Mindanews on March 7, Bishop Dael expressed apprehension the government-run IP school would not be "appropriate" with the culture of the Manobo tribe. He said he would seek a dialogue with DepEd officials on the matter.
Bishop Odchimar, on the other hand, appealed to DepEd to allow the continued operation of the schools run by the Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS) and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (Alcadev).
The tribal leaders and military officials in the area, however, alleged that TRIFPSS and Alcadev have links with the communist New People's Army (NPA).
Bucales also pointed out that it was the Manobo tribe council that requested the government to put up tribal schools in the two towns.
"Our IP political structure spearheaded the request for IP schools,” Bucales said.
He also asked the bishops to “have a dialogue with the legitimate IP leadership not only with communist-linked MAPASU to balance your perspectives”.
He was referring to the leftist IP group Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod, which has long been accused of aiding the NPA in the area.
For his part, Datu Duhac said they welcome the move of the government to establish an IP school in Lianga.
“As leaders of the IP Council of Lianga, we have provided Free Prior and Informed Consent to the government to establish IP schools for the betterment of our tribe because this is what our tribesmen want,” Duhac said.
Another IP leader, Datu Jhunee Salinas from Sitio Simuwao, Barangya Diatagon, Lianga, said Manobo folks have expressed enthusiasm with the government's plan to establish an IP school in their community.
Salinas added that they will also ask the local government to establish a military detachment in their village to protect the residents and the school project from NPA harassment.
“We are happy that the government heeded our call to provide us schools but we also request the presence of the military to protect us from the attacks of the terrorist NPA. They are against the establishment of the IP schools because they know that all TRIFPSS’ students will transfer eventually in the government-run schools,” he said.
Bucales also reminded the bishops that as part of the religious sector, they should promote reconciliation among the tribe and not to take sides.
“Please respect our legitimate aspiration to have government-run schools for our children so that we can provide a better future for them and protect them from radicalized schools that corrupted our tribe,” he said.
He also reiterated that Lianga's IP Council "continues to respect Bishops Dael and Odchimar as church leaders".
Meanwhile, the IP Council also scored Lianga town Councilor Samuel Dollano for allegedly delaying the approval and signing of the resolution to establish government-run IP schools in the area, including the closure of the TRIFPSS and Alcadev schools.
According to the two tribal leaders, Dollano is allegedly a "die-hard supporter and ally of MAPASU".
They said the local IP Council is considering the passage of a resolution to ask the government to investigate Dollano's alleged links with the communist rebel movement.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096014
In a statement on Monday (March 9), Hawudon Jumar Bucales, Lianga's Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR); and Datu Constancio Duhac, the town's tribal chieftain, criticized Bishop Raul Dael of Tandag City Diocese and Bishop Emeritus Nereo Odchimar for opposing the proposed IP school that the government plans to put up in the towns of Lianga and Marihatag.
Last week, the Department of Education (DepEd), along with local and provincial officials, conducted ocular inspections in the two towns last week for the establishment of tribal schools in the neighboring municipalities.
But in an article published in Mindanews on March 7, Bishop Dael expressed apprehension the government-run IP school would not be "appropriate" with the culture of the Manobo tribe. He said he would seek a dialogue with DepEd officials on the matter.
Bishop Odchimar, on the other hand, appealed to DepEd to allow the continued operation of the schools run by the Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS) and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (Alcadev).
The tribal leaders and military officials in the area, however, alleged that TRIFPSS and Alcadev have links with the communist New People's Army (NPA).
Bucales also pointed out that it was the Manobo tribe council that requested the government to put up tribal schools in the two towns.
"Our IP political structure spearheaded the request for IP schools,” Bucales said.
He also asked the bishops to “have a dialogue with the legitimate IP leadership not only with communist-linked MAPASU to balance your perspectives”.
He was referring to the leftist IP group Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod, which has long been accused of aiding the NPA in the area.
For his part, Datu Duhac said they welcome the move of the government to establish an IP school in Lianga.
“As leaders of the IP Council of Lianga, we have provided Free Prior and Informed Consent to the government to establish IP schools for the betterment of our tribe because this is what our tribesmen want,” Duhac said.
Another IP leader, Datu Jhunee Salinas from Sitio Simuwao, Barangya Diatagon, Lianga, said Manobo folks have expressed enthusiasm with the government's plan to establish an IP school in their community.
Salinas added that they will also ask the local government to establish a military detachment in their village to protect the residents and the school project from NPA harassment.
“We are happy that the government heeded our call to provide us schools but we also request the presence of the military to protect us from the attacks of the terrorist NPA. They are against the establishment of the IP schools because they know that all TRIFPSS’ students will transfer eventually in the government-run schools,” he said.
Bucales also reminded the bishops that as part of the religious sector, they should promote reconciliation among the tribe and not to take sides.
“Please respect our legitimate aspiration to have government-run schools for our children so that we can provide a better future for them and protect them from radicalized schools that corrupted our tribe,” he said.
He also reiterated that Lianga's IP Council "continues to respect Bishops Dael and Odchimar as church leaders".
Meanwhile, the IP Council also scored Lianga town Councilor Samuel Dollano for allegedly delaying the approval and signing of the resolution to establish government-run IP schools in the area, including the closure of the TRIFPSS and Alcadev schools.
According to the two tribal leaders, Dollano is allegedly a "die-hard supporter and ally of MAPASU".
They said the local IP Council is considering the passage of a resolution to ask the government to investigate Dollano's alleged links with the communist rebel movement.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096014
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