Catamco allowed her true prejudices to surface and maligned the already suffering Ata-Manobo

Inexcusable blunder and a clear violation of the UNDRIP

By Gingging Avellanosa-Valle
July 19, 2015
Sunstar Davao

IF AN ordinary citizen happens to “degrade” a person in authority, such act would constitute an unforgivable offense, such that it could even cost the life of the wrong doer. The person would probably be immediately imprisoned or detained in some “correctional” facility or worse. But if a government functionary who is supposed to be a “servant” of public interest wrongs the ordinary person or people, a reproach can never be said by those are at the receiving end of the insult. Their “position” in society, of course, spells the difference.

In a capitalist, decadent society, the servant becomes the master, because the master has no power whatsoever, even if he or she was the ones responsible for putting the servant in their place.

Such was the irony that was graphically displayed by the supposed chairperson to a House Committee on the Indigenous Peoples whose mandate is to serve the interests of the Indigenous Peoples and not to discriminate and hurl insults on their person.

Unfortunately, the representative was so ignorant of her duty that she could do nothing but brag about her feelings of disgust and contempt against the people she claims to be her kind.

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Listen: Pakinggan kung paano makitungo si Catamco sa mga lumad

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It is a BIG shame, because by doing so, the Committee being headed by that irresponsible chairperson have degraded and defiled their duty and has tacitly refused to heed the call of the “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) resolution adopted by the General Assembly... taking note of the recommendation of the Human Rights Council contained in its resolution 1/2 of 29 June 2006,1 by which the Council adopted the text of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples… by which it decided to defer consideration of an action on the Declaration to allow time for further consultations thereon, and also decided to conclude its consideration before the end of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly, (and henceforth) …adopts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as contained in the annex to the present resolution.”

Contained in this particular document of UNDRIP, which was also signed by the Republic of the Philippines as member country to the United Nations, are the following acknowledgements: “Reaffirming that indigenous peoples, in the exercise of their rights, should be free from discrimination of any kind, concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of, inter alia, their colonization and dispossession of their lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from exercising, in particular, their right to development in accordance with their own needs and interests, recognizing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous peoples which derive from their political, economic and social structures and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources, recognizing also the urgent need to respect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples affirmed in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements with States…"

It added: “Recognizing that the situation of indigenous peoples varies from region to region and from country to country and that the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical and cultural backgrounds should be taken into consideration, solemnly proclaims the following United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a standard of achievement to be pursued in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect.”

Under the same declaration, the UNDRIP further stated among others, on “Article 14 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning. 2. Indigenous individuals, particularly children, have the right to all levels and forms of education of the State without discrimination. 3. States shall, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, take effective measures, in order for indigenous individuals, particularly children, including those living outside their communities, to have access, when possible, to an education in their own culture and provided in their own language…”

Moreover, the UN declaration further stated on “Article 15 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information. 2. States shall take effective measures, in consultation and cooperation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination and to promote tolerance, understanding and good relations among indigenous peoples and all other segments of society.”

But sadly, Representative Nancy Catamco, chairperson to the Committee on Indigenous Peoples, conveniently IGNORED these facts and allowed her true prejudices to surface and maligned the already suffering Ata-Manobo who are only trying to survive with the assistance of well-meaning organizations and civilians after government agents chose to trample on their rights as a people.

Truly, it is a big SHAME, as she further demeans the IPs with her insensitivity by giving out school bags to their children whom she openly insulted, with big pictures of herself and her family pasted on it.

Unwittingly though, she gave the Ata-Manobo something to remind themselves of her foul-smelling mouth and rudeness which is being recorded in history as unprecedented and ultimate maleficence!

WATCH: Datu Tungig Mansumuy-at testifies at the International People's Tribunal 2015

Datu Tungig Mansimuy-at testimony as witness-victim during the 1st day session of the International Peoples Tribunal 2015. Assisted by Atty. Josalee Deinla.

FLASHBACK to 2014: Datu Doloman Dawsay explains why they sought refuge in Davao City

The Manobos left heavily militarized villages last April 1, 2014 to seek sanctuary at Davao City. Continuous military operations and harassment displaced more than 1,300 individuals from the sitios of Pongpong, Nalubas, Bagang, Bayabas, Saso, Lasakan, Sambolongan and Bugni of Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. After a month, they returned to their communities following the military's promise on withdrawal of troops.

A year later, the same problem of human rights violations arising from militarization occur causing the Manobos to left again to seek sanctuary in Davao City and to air their grievances against the military.

Lumads would rather die in Davao City than die at the hands of the soldiers in their villages

Bastos? Lawmaker insults lumads, calls them ‘stinky’

By NewsDesk
July 17, 2015

A LAWMAKER from North Cotabato is now drawing flak after she lost her temper in the middle of a dialogue that she had with members of tribal communities to address the presence of soldiers in their villages in Davao del Norte and parts of Bukidnon province.

The dialogue held in Davao City Wednesday turned ugly when Rep. Nancy Catamco, the chair of the House Committee on Indigenous Peoples, turned from emotional to being offensively heavy-handed and crass.

Photo by Kilab Multimedia

She did not only berate lumad leaders who attended the dialogue for refusing to go home to their villages, but also took a jab at how they supposedly stink. During the dialogue held at UCCP Haran, Catamco brought representatives of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Commission on Human Rights, and the military.

The presence of the soldiers brought discomfort to the lumads as they accuse them of harassment, the reason why left their villages.

During the dialogue, a leader told Catamco that they would rather die in Davao City than die at the hands of the soldiers in their villages.

The statement sparked a barrage of insulting comments from the lawmaker.

“That is what you want? So you want to die here? Those who want to die here may raise your hands,” an apparently agitated Catamco said.



She also lamented at how the lumads, especially the children, stink in Haran. At least 700 Manobos, including schoolchildren, are sheltered in UCCP Haran since May.

The dialogue collapsed even when it was later transferred to a hotel in downtown Davao.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, who attended the dialogue, expressed his disbelief over how Catamco conducted the process. He later walked out saying it was no longer healthy, noting how the lawmaker from North Cotabato kept on interrupting the lumads as she insisted that they go back to their villages.

“I already cautioned her, this is not a dialogue but a monologue,” Zarate said. “If you’re facilitating and you’re emotional, you can’t be objective anymore.”

Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan also expressed her dismay over how Catamco handled the dialogue. She said the lumads were surprised that military officials arrived at the dialogue, since there was an agreement that only NCIP representatives will be invited to listen to the complaints of the lumads.

“Dismayed is the mildest, and apprehensive because the leaders were exposed, and very disappointed because that is not how you are supposed to conduct a dialogue,” said Ilagan, a Dabawenya who represents Gabriela Women’s Party. “You must not fan conflict when you are facilitating a dialogue. I pity the leaders who became helpless because she was not listening to them.”

Photo by Bai Ali Indayla

Datu Kailo Bantulan, a leader of the lumads, they left the dialogue feeling down and insulted.

“Kung gusto niyang mutabang maminaw siya kanamo kay kami ang nakasinati sa maong abuso (If she wants to help, she should listen to us, it is us who experienced abuse),” he said.

Bantulan said more than simply returning to their homes, they want a written agreement with the military that soldiers should stay away from their houses, farms and schools.

The leaders of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) expressed concern over the conduct of Catamco.

“UCCP Peace Sanctuary is a prophetic witness and humanitarian effort of the church for the lost, the last and the least of our people,” said UCCP Bishop Hamuel Tequis. “It is a place purposely created to accommodate individuals or communities that were deprived, neglected, exploited, harassed, and suppressed with their rights to peace, respect and free as a community.”

He reminded the lawmaker that forcing the lumads to go back — while in fear — will not address their issues and demands.

Government officials, he said, must not make the situation worse as public servants should “act as genuine servants to the people.”

UCCP, he said, will continue extending help to the IPs.

“We encourage the LGU’s and government agencies to do also with no single amount of hatred and bitterness, but rather by love and acceptance,” he said.

In a text message, Catamco denied she meant to insult the lumads.

“It was not alluded to anyone but it was the place that going smelly (sic),” Catamco said. “They can call me arrogant or anything they want, I don’t care.”| JMT, NewsDesk

Catamco is the spokesperson of the military -- tribal leader

Photo by Kilab Multimedia

Congresswoman insulted, deceived us — Lumads

By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
July 17, 2015
Davao Today

DAVAO CITY — Leaders of lumads who evacuated to Davao City starting May because of alleged Army harassment in their areas said a legislator insulted their leaders, deceived them into a dialogue and are forcing them to go home despite threats in their lives.

“We were happy to learn that she will be visiting us and will bring along the NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples) so we can have a dialogue, but she deceived us. She brought along the military not thinking how we would feel,” said Datu Kaylo Bontulan, a leader of indigenous people group Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon (Salugpungan).

Bontulan said Second District Representative Nancy Catamco appeared before their evacuation center in Haran compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City Tuesday.

“But we did not agree on bringing the military and other agencies. She violated our agreement, she deceived us,” said Bontulan in a press conference afternoon of Wednesday, after a series of dialogues initiated by Catamco failed.

On Wednesday morning, Catamco arrived with Army officials and officers of the NCIP, the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Lumads from three Manobo indigenous communities surrounded her: the Manobos of Salugpungan from Talaingod, Davao del Norte, Manobos from IP group Karadyawan from Kapalong, Davao del Norte and Manobos from the Kasilo organization from the province of Bukidnon.

“I want to listen to the people,” said Catamco holding the microphone inside the Haran compound.

Catamco randomly picked from among the crowd and gave them the microphone.

Two of those she handed the microphone said they “want to go home” and that they be assured “that the military will not lay a hand on us.”

Catamco then asked “kinsa sa inyo ang gusto na muoli (who among you want to go home)?”

Many raised their hands.

Leaders from the three groups of Lumads wanted to interrupt while Catamco went on to offer those who raised their hands a bus ride and food packs.

Datu Duloman Dawsay, spokesperson of Salugpungan looked-on frustrated in between coughs.

Asked what he thought about the then ongoing dialogue, he sat in a plastic chair, took a deep breath and said “we cannot go home without being assured of our security.”

“Too many fell victim to atrocities of the military. They must leave our communities,” he said.

Bayan Muna Representative Karlos Zarate approached Catamco to suggest that a separate dialogue with leaders be done instead.

Catamco agreed and arranged for a venue in a nearby hotel while her staff were giving away school bags.

The dialogue proceeded in the afternoon only to end by a walkout by the Lumads and both parties calling for separate press conferences.

Catamco with the Army officers and government agency heads and representatives remained at the hotel while Zarate and Gabriela Partylist Representative Luzviminda Ilagan joined the Lumads in a separate venue.

“It was a fiasco, not a dialogue,” said Ilagan who helped Catamco talked with the Lumads.

Ilagan said she and Zarate reminded Catamco that ground rules should be set in a dialogue.

“Rules have to bet so each side can be given time to speak. We were supposedly there to listen,” she said.

Ilagan said both dialogues became “useless”.

“Each of us was there because we had the intention to help, but this not the way a dialogue should be done,” said Ilagan.

“The dialogue in the morning failed as the Lumads were not comfortable with the presence of the military who they say threatened and harassed them in their communities,” she said.

Ilagan said “those from the government agencies were also caught off-guard.”

“The Lumads were asking these agencies what actions they have done with the Lumad’s situation,” she said.

Zarate, meanwhile, said he told Catamco that, “it is important that we always consult the Lumads and that we in the end respect their decision.”

“When I spoke in the dialogue that even us in Congress cannot dictate the Lumads to go home just because they are dirty she was apparently slighted,” said Zarate.

Zarate said he made it clear to Catamco that they cannot make quick results and that he suggested a “timeline” for it.

“The Lumads repeated to her that if they are made secure, they will go home and she said that what the Lumads want like the pullout of the Army is not possible right away,” he said.

Zarate said Catamco balked at him and said “why are you answering my question? It is not you I asked.”

Zarate said he understands the “emotional” stage of Catamco.

“We are both members of Congres and she probably has good intentions, in fact we all wanted a quick solution but the security of Lumads must have a solution as it was not solved in previous dialogues with Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte,” he said.

Datu Mintroso Malibato, Karadyawan spokesperson, said since the dialogue in the morning “Catamco questioned us as leaders of the community and have cut us short in our speech.”

“She did it again in the afternoon. She only wants to listen to herself,” Malibato said.

Datu Jimboy, chairperson of Kasilo, said “we hoped that she can help us make the military be accountable to what they did to us, but she was the one who spoke for them.”

“She was forcing us to say that we must go home no matter what but she did not ask the (Army) generals when they would pull-out their soldiers from our communities,” he said.

Datu Jimboy said “she kept on repeating her point that we should go home so we walked out of the dialogue.”

Benito Bay-ao, a Salugpungan Council member said “what she (Nancy) did to us is deception.”

“We are happy that she is here because she is also a Lumad, but he called us dirty and in the dialogue she harassed us like what the military did to us,” said Bay-ao.

Bay-ao said “her feelings for us Lumads is not real.”

“What we asked is that we Lumads not be armed and the soldiers be pulled-out from our communities. We were peaceful before they came,” he said.

“She has taken our voice like what the soldiers are also doing. She is a lap dog of the military,” said Bay-ao.

“Nakaminos gyud na siya sa amoa (she is looking down on us),” he said.

“Maybe she wants to ake credit in solving our problems as a Congresswoman. We would put her in high esteem if she solve our problems even if she is not in congress anymore,” said Bontulan.

“We do not want to face such Congressmen anymore who is clearly biased,” he said.

In a press conference, Catamco said “we want to tell the IP leaders that the government is ready.”

“If the soldiers has committed violations, let them undergo a process. All I want is to bring them home,” she said.

Catamco said she was “full of anger,” and is “emotionally desperate” because of the situation of the Lumads in Haran.”

“I cannot bear in my conscience that I will go back to Manila while this is their siutation, that I have done nothing,” she said.

Catamco said that she has been successful in other IP areas with the same situation “because there is no support group.”

She said she would file a resolution before congress “that the IPs will be sent home or else the civic organizations will answer for it.”

Bontulan, however, said “we are not open to her anymore.”

“We do not want to talk with such congressmen who has clearly taken sides,” he said.

“Catamco is the spokesperson of the military,” he said.(davaotoday.com)

Mga suportang grupo ng mga nagbakwit na mga lumad ginigipit ng gobyerno

Panggigipit sa mga Lumad binira ng lady solon

By Aries Cano
July 14, 2015
Abante Online

Tinuligsa ni Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan ang nangyayaring panggigi­pit laban sa mga tagapagtaguyod ng kapakanan at karapatan ng mga katutubong Lumad.

Ayon sa lady solon, masyadong garapal ang paniniil kontra sa child rights advocates at human rights defenders na nangunguna sa kampanya para masagkaan ang mili­tarisasyon sa mga eskuwelahan ng mga Lumad.

Maituturing aniyang political persecution at harassment ang mga binabalandrang kaso ng kidnapping at human trafficking laban sa mga tagapagtanggol ng mga Lumad.

Nabatid na kasama sa mga kinasuhan sina Gabriela Southern Minda­nao Secretary General Mary Ann Sapar at Salinlahi Alliance for Child­ren Secretary General Kharlo Manano.

Ang dalawang nabanggit na kinasuhan ay kapwa kaalyado ng Save Our Schools Network.

Bukod kina Sapar at Manano sinampahan din ng kaso sina Rev. Jurie Jaime, Sheena Duazo, Hanimay Suazo, Ryan Lariba, Tony Salubre, Jimong Marciano, Jaja Necosia, Pedro Arnaldo­, Kerlan Fanagel, Sr. Stella Matutina, Sr. Restita Miles, Isidro Andao, Riuz Valle at iba pa.

Sinasabing pasimuno sa pagkakaso ang Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“The CIDG specifically singled out acti­vists involved in the campaign to demilitarize the Lumad schools. They accused activist leaders and child rights advocates of trafficking and kidnapping Lumad children and families who have evacuated to Davao City and in some instances, brought their appeal to save Lumad schools from being occupied and damaged by AFP elements to government offices in Manila. These acts do not cons­titute trafficking or kidnapping. The charges filed are ridiculous and totally baseless,” paghahayag ni Ilagan.

Pinaliwanag ng Gabriela solon na buwan ng Nobyembre ng nakalipas na taon nang ipara­ting ng Save Our Schools Network ang pagdurusa ng mga katutubo sa mga miyembro ng Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso.

Maliban dito, nagkaroon din, aniya, ng mga dayalogo sa pagitan ng Department of Education (DepEd) at nagkaroon din ng pag-uusap sa pagitan ni Bishop Romulo Valles ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

"Kining pag-abot ni Cong. Nancy nakita namo na dili ni pag-sulbad sa among mga problema sa lumad"

Gabriela Partylist Rep. Luz Ilagan listens intently as Datu Kaylo Buntolan (right) expresses his dismay on North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco for allegedly insulting lumad leaders during a dialogue with IPs and government agencies. (Caption by Sunstar Davao. Photos by Seth de los Reyes and Bai Ali Indayla)

Lawmaker hit for 'insulting' lumads

July 16, 2015
Sunstar Davao
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 17, 2015.

THE chair of the House committee on national cultural minorities, a body tasked to look into the welfare of lumad communities, has been criticized for allegedly uttering derogatory and humiliating statements toward evacuees during a dialogue Wednesday at UCCP Haran Evacuation Center in Davao City.

ALSO READ:Lumads dismayed by military presence at dialogue

LISTEN: Pakinggan kung paano makitungo si Catamco sa mga lumad

North Cotabato Representative Nancy Catamco has been described by lumad leaders and various groups as arrogant and does not fit to a public office.

During the dialogue, the congresswoman reportedly commented on the foul smell at the evacuation center and questioned the legitimacy of the lumad leaders.

Catamco presided over the dialogue attended by representatives of different government agencies and lumad victims of forcible evacuation from the areas of Talaingod and Kapalong in Davao del Norte and San Fernando in Bukidnon, together with their support groups.

Catamco, identifying herself with the indigenous peoples, referred to them as "mabaho" during a dialogue supposed to address the issue of human rights violations by the military in lumad areas.

Catamco even asked the lumad children if they had already taken a bath and if they used soap and shampoo, adding that she does not want to go back to Manila without sending them back to their homes.

She added she cannot afford to see children and other evacuees staying in a place with foul odor.

The evacuation center has been housing around 700 lumads since May, as they refused to go home due to continuous military presence in the area.

It has been reported that the said dialogue was divided into two parts, wherein the other one was held in Haran because of the military officers Catamco invited without asking permission from the lumads.

Insulted

Lumad leaders, in a separate interview, criticized the Catamco-initiated dialogue, saying it was a "slap" on their faces.

"Kining pag-abot ni Congresswoman Nancy nakita namo na dili ni pag-sulbad sa among mga problema sa lumad kung dili dako ni siya na pag-sagpa sa among nawong (We are looking at the coming of Congresswoman Nancy as something that will not solve the problem of the lumads but this is a big slap on our faces)," said Datu Kailo Buntolan, a tribal council leader from Kapalong.

"Mu-ingon siya nga dili niya kaya muuli sa Manila, na hantod kanus-a ning mga bata na manimaho na sila. Murag ni-anhi lang siya sa amua para magsaway sa amoang kabataan, para mag-ingon sa amua nga dili daw mi mga leader (She was saying she can't leave without sending us back home. that our children have already turned smelly. It was like she came here to us, to insult our children, to tell us that we are not leaders)," Buntolan added.

He said that even if they were not appointed by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, they were chosen by their community as leaders.

During the heated discussion, Catamco called the lumad leaders as inefficient as they do not want to let their community members to go home immediately.

In their defense, Buntolan said that even during the second set of dialogue at Apo View Hotel on the same day, she did not give them the chance to speak for themselves and their community.

"Among pag-sabot, nakita namo sa among pulong na usa kini ka spokesperson sa mga sundalo diha sa EastMinCom (Eartern Mindanao Command), so nganong maka-ingun man ta ana, usahay inig isa namo ka-estorya putulon, wala mi naka lugar na pwede mi makaestorya sa taas na pag-estorya (We see her as a spokesperson of the EastMinCom, why did we say that, it is because every time we talk, she would cut it)," he said.

He added that they all want to go home but they want an assurance the military forces in the area will be pulled out.

It was previously reported that the lumad leaders, together with committee on IP members Partylist Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela and Karlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, walked out during the dialogue.

Miscommunication

During the first dialogue Wednesday, Catamco failed to inform the lumad communities that she had also invited military officers which resulted to their dismay.

Datu Jimboy Mandagit from Bukidnon said that what she did resulted in a bigger problem in their community.

"Kining mga lumad na akong gidala, dili ni sila kasabot ug bisaya mao to ang hinungdan na kung makakita ni sila ug military, mahadlok ni sila (These lumads whom I brought here, do not understand Bisaya. That is why, every time they see military forces, they are scared)," Mandagit said.

Bontulan said they do not see sincerity in Catamco's efforts as she was forcing them to go home right away on that day.

"We feel that she wants to take pride on her name by giving solution to our problems that is why she is forcing us to go home as soon as possible," he said in vernacular.

Emotional

In a separate media interview, Catamco said that she was just "emotional" during the dialogue. She said what she had wanted was to put an end to what the lumad evacuees are going through at Haran.

"It's just that maybe I was just so emotional because gusto ko sana masolusyonan na eh. It's not fair hindi po hustisya ito para sa mga IPs na nandito sa Haran," she said.

"Kahit siguro sinong tao yan, kahit ang IP walang silang pinag-aralan, ignorante sila pero hindi po nila gugustuhin ang ganitong sitwasyon," she added.

ALSO READ:Lumads dismayed by military presence at dialogue

LISTEN: Pakinggan kung paano makitungo si Catamco sa mga lumad

She also said that she requested some military officers, namely, Army's 1003rd Brigade commander Colonel Harold Cabreros and deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command Brigadier General Alexander Balutan, to come to the dialogue in order to answer the concerns of the lumads.

Pull-out cannot be granted

Despite the lumad leader's request to pull out the military forces in their area, Balutan said they cannot do such since they are supposed to guard the equipment for the projects being constructed in the area.

He said it is for the lumads to experience the services of the government. (KGL/With CCC)