ZamboSur aspires to become insurgency-free province

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 17, 2020): ZamboSur aspires to become insurgency-free province (By Gideon C. Corgue) 

PAGADIAN CITY, Sep 17 (PIA) – The Indigenous People (IP) leaders from the 26 municipalities and 1 city of the province convened recently at the Subanen Hall, Provincial Government Center in barangay Dao for the 1st Provincial Subanen Summit.

The Provincial Subanen Federation Council of Elders and Leaders organized this historic IP assembly dubbed SubanenSummit2020 and carries the theme “Unity and Solidarity towards Strengthening the Subanen Cultural Heritage.

Governor Victor Yu extolled the IP council of elders and leaders for preserving the richness of the cultural heritage and promoting respect for cultural diversity of Subanen community.



He said the national government provided many benefits for the IPs particularly the creation of Republic Act No. 8371 otherwise known as “The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997,” recognizing and promoting the rights of IPs.

Yu encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities and privileges such as scholarship programs, skills training, and livelihood assistance.

The governor said it is the primary goal of his administration to reduce the poverty incidence and make the province a 100 percent insurgency-free. He, however said his dream will be achieved only with the active support and cooperation of the IP leaders.

The local chief executive said that 90 percent of the insurgents- the CPP-NPA-NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) come from the IP tribes who were deceived and exploited by the organization.

Yu encouraged the IP leaders to help the government by convincing their fellow Subanen brothers who are still joining the CPP-NPA in the hinterlands to come down and return to the fold of law, and to avail the financial support programs of the government.

In support to PPRD’s EO No. 70, Yu said the provincial government will also give reward of P20,000 to a rebel from the province who will yield to the government and P10,000 to those persons who can also convince a rebel to surrender.

Mustapa Piang, head of Muslim and Subanen Affairs thanked the provincial government for recognizing the vital role of tri-people in the province.

“I thanked the provincial government for recognizing the vital role of IPs by creating the Muslim and Subanen Affairs. This is the beginning in the milestone in IP’s history that Subanen and Muslim Affairs Office was created under administration of Governor Yu,” Piang proudly announced.

“Niining makasaysayanon nga tigum nga gitawag nga 1st Subanen Summit sa Zamboanga del Sur, atong ipadayon pagpakita ang panaghiusa sa Subanen Federation Council of Elders tungod kay pinaagi niini, atong makab-ot ang malahutayon nga kahapsay ug kalinaw ug kalamboan sa lalawigan (In this historic gathering dubbed the “1st Subanen Summit”, I encourage members of Subanen Federation Council of Elders to unite altogether because through this, we can achieve lasting peace and progress in our province)," he said.

The governor is confident that by becoming an insurgency-free province, the economic activities will further improve and the people will live a peaceful life. (RVC/GCC-PIA/Zamboanga del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053435