Return of Manobo bakwits to Lianga called off

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/18 August) -- Leaders of the estimated 1,700 Manobos who fled their villages a month ago and were supposed to have returned to their villages in Lianga, SUrigao del Sur Monday, have called off their return claiming the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion “failed to pull-out of their communities.”

The military, through provincial administrator Johnny Pimentel, had reportedly agreed to temporarily leave the communities to allow for the return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).
According to a press statement from Higala sa mga Bakwit (Friends of the Evacuees), a survey team composed of the Manobos, the Lumad or indigenous peoples in the region; churchpeople and representatives of the provincial government reported having seen 58th IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Pedralvez in the checkpoint, as the team was proceeding to the villages.

At Purok 5, San Isidro, Lianga, “the team was able to interview the leader of a platoon of soldiers still staying at the community. More soldiers are reportedly staying in the neighboring community of Huwangan,” the press statement read.
It quoted Jalandoni Campos, chair of the local group MAPASU (Malahutayong Panaghiusa Alang sa Sumusunod), as saying that the Manobos would not risk to return to their homes as long as the soldiers remain and will force them to join the paramilitary group.

 "We would like to return home only if we know the soldiers will not be around to force what they want on us. We would like to continue our farming, for our children to go back to the lumad schools. But with the military coming and harassing us and our children, we can not have peace,” he said.

Campos appealed to the local government to help intercede and ask the soldiers to leave their communities.
He also appealed to the Tandag Diocese and the provincial government to bring “our plea to have the military leave our place so we can return home.” (MindaNews)