"Isa na kami ka bulan ug kapin pero dili gyud kami makauli kay hadlok kami"

Lumad group decries killings, seeks gov’t help

By Pamela Jay F. Orias
July 15, 2015
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

A GROUP from Higaonon tribe in Cabanglasan town in Bukidnon stormed the offices of National Commission on Indigenous (NCIP) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) demanding an inquiry into the killing of tribe members allegedly by a paramilitary group based in the area.

Kalumbay, a lumad organization, documented seven deaths in Cabanglasan, three in San Fernando, and 11 other cases this year in the province of Bukidnon.

"This is really a pressing concern and there is a need to immediately address the problem since these are deaths and their rights have been stepped on ug dapat immediate gyud kay lisud kaayo mubalik na pud sila didto sa ilaha unya mao lang gihapon ang sitwasyon," said Gary Ben Villocino of Kalumbay.

The group left Cabanglasan and sought refuge at the provincial capitol in Malaybalay in June.

"Pero isa na kami ka bulan ug kapin pero dili gyud kami makauli kay hadlok kami, ug wala pa gihapoy hustisya sa among lugar," said Diden Landasan, a Higaonon.

She said they were compelled to come to the city, hoping that government agencies could put a stop to the killings. “Naningkamot gyud mi na makaanhi taliwala sa kagutom ug sa kalisod para lang mapahibalo namo ang among sitwasyon," she said.
Romulo dela Mance and Butsoy Salusad, the leaders of the paramilitary group who allegedly committed the killings in Cabanglasan, were issued a warrant of arrest in June after being charged with murder and attempted murder.

The two are still at large and continue to harass people in Cabanglasan, Kalumbay said.

Landasan said the dela Mance are coercing the tribesmen into join the paramilitary.

"We would like the NCIP to release a public statement condemning the killings and also, we want your office to conduct investigation to finally impose sanctions to this paramilitary regarding the matter," the statement further reads.

NCIP's regional director was not available, but the group was able to express their demands
.
According to Kalumbay, the CHR has verbally committed to help in the investigation.