Indigenous peoples from Davao City bring placards calling for protection from the New People's Army (NPA) atrocities during a peace rally at Rizal Park, Davao City on Friday.
DAVAO CITY – Around 500 members of the indigenous peoples (IPs) community, former communist rebels and peace advocates held simultaneous rally across Davao region, calling for protection from New People's Army (NPA) atrocities.
The IPs, led by their tribal chieftains from Paquibato, Marilog, Baguio and Calinan Districts in Davao City, and Talaingod, Davao del Norte, joined the activity still fearful of their security as they continue to receive threats from communist insurgents.
In an interview, Datu Joel Unad, the chairman of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders, said the rally aims to consolidate and organize former rebels, especially from the areas where there are threats from their former comrades.
He said this will also show to the government that they have abandoned the armed struggle to be productive members of society.
Unad said the IPs, especially the former rebels, now rely on the government to protect them and provide them with livelihood as they struggle for peace and development.
He said 85 to 90 percent of the IP communities, which had been affected by the communist insurgency, are contributing to the peace efforts in the region.
He, however, pointed out that these communities are still vulnerable to NPA threats if they are not protected.
He noted that the IP communities are in the hinterlands, which are still NPA lairs and where the insurgents are free to move around.
“Panawagan sab ni sa mga opisyal sa army nga palig-onon ang pag-protekta kanila kay hadlok gihapon sila sa mga armado ilabi kadtong wala pa nagbaba (This is a call to the officials of the military to strengthen the security and protection of the IP communities because the people still fear of the armed group especially those who are have not surrendered yet),” Unad said.
If there is no government protection, Unad said the IPs will continue to live in fear and under threat.
Simultaneous peace rallies were also held in the provinces of Davao del Norte (Tagum), Davao Oriental (Mati City), General Santos, and Kidapawan City, which are under the area of responsibility of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066003
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