By
Venus L. Garcia
Crusade for peace: a hope for Higaonon tribe to
thrive
In a
mountainous and most remote village of Sinakungan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur in
the island of Mindanao dwells the Higaonon, a peace-loving indigenous tribe,
also called “people of the wilderness.”
Over
the years, they are a staunch defender of their ancestral homelands; keen in
preserving their rich culture, beliefs, and traditions; and are determined to
retain their ancient way of conflict resolution that works well in keeping a
peaceful community.
Higaonon’s confronts challenges
These
days, it is unfortunate that the enormous diversity among communities of
indigenous peoples (IPs) is facing challenges. These created an impact which is
detrimental to the enjoyment of a harmonious life.
The
most recent incident that tested the resiliency and strong ties within the
circle of Higaonon community was the brutal killing of defenseless Datu Bontola
Tinaghao Mansinugdan, a respected community leader in Kinamaybay,
Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, by the savagely cruel New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists.
Alias
“Gali,” the fifth among the six siblings who were left orphaned, recalled in
detail his traumatic experience about the unfavorable death of their
father, Datu Bontola, in the hands of the rebels.
It was
midday of December 31, 2019, until the early morning of January 1, 2020, that
the adversity of event transpired.
The
11-year-old Gali narrated that he went along with his father in going to the
Upper Agsabo, in the hinterlands of Kinamaybay, to inspect the traps they set
up for wild boars.
He said
they stumbled upon more or less 30 fully armed NPA terrorists. There was one
who approached them and called his father “bayaw” or brother-in-law. “They were
talking and then tied my father’s hands,” described Gali.
They
were brought near Kinabonglohan Creek and stayed there during the course of a
night.
“We
were not given with food until it’s morning. I was very afraid and after a
while, I heard a gunshot a few steps away from where my father was executed by
the ruthless NPA,” said Gali.
He
cried her heart out upon seeing the lifeless body of his father lying on the
ground. “I swiftly ran back to our village in fear that they would do the same
to me,” he said.
The
remains of Datu Bontola was buried by her relatives in the spot where he was
mercilessly shot to death.
For a
young Gali, he could never ignore the surge of anger towards the NPA and
expressed of becoming a soldier one day.
The
Higaonon tribe had long been threatened by the hostile actions and human rights
atrocities brought about by the NPA in retribution to their decisiveness to
dissociate from the communist-terrorist group (CTG).
Pursuing conflict
resolution
About
45 kilometers away from the city proper of Butuan City, the officials of the
National task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and
representatives from the local clusters, Office of the Presidential Adviser on
the Peace Process (OPAPP), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Army, Philippine Information
Agency (PIA), Bishop of the Diocese of Butuan, and other government
stakeholders managed to traverse the mountains just to reach the neck of the
woods where a community of Higaonon resides in barangay Sinakungan, Esperanza,
Agusan del Sur.
It can
be recalled that said barangay was attacked by roughly a hundred of NPA rebels
in 2018 during the local election that harmed some members of the Higaonon, one
previous account of the persistent intimidation of the revolutionary movement
of the leftists.
Amidst
the tireless struggle of the Higaonon people to achieve peace and independence
as a tribe, the leaders and members of the tribe converged in a ‘Dumalongdong,’
the highest form of ritual, in order to discuss the major concerns, resolve
issues and conflicts.
The
ceremony began with a special introductory performance called ‘Pamada,’ the
Higaonon’s way of greeting and showing hospitality to the guests.
The ritual
followed in which the ‘Ininay’ and ‘Inamay,’ or mother and father of their
entire lineage prayed and blessed all the food at the ‘Bangkaso,’ the most
sacred space where only the tribal leaders and individuals with significant
accomplishments who were recognized by the influential parents of the tribe
were given the privilege to come near it.
Prior
the conduct of Dumalongdong, the Higaonon leaders from the provinces of
Bukidnon represented by Datu Agolio Nanulan; Misamis Oriental by Datu Kailingan
Asapon; Agusan del Norte by Datu Revise Mandahinog; and Agusan del Sur by Datu
Malumabyong Lidanhog reported their efforts in peace and order, community
livelihood, leadership achievement, and other important undertakings.
They
all came together to give honor, seek guidance, and express faith to the
Magbabaya (Supreme Creator).
The
gathering also aimed to determine and address the indigenous peoples' plight
and to close the gap by bringing the basic services of the government right at
their doorsteps.
Pledge of support to EO 70
In time
with the Dumalongdong, the tribes of Banwaon, Omayamnon and Polangiyon from the
provinces of Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon, together with
the Higaonon tribe, had also expressed their solid stand to support the Executive
Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte.
They
likewise condemned the communist terrorist group whom they declared as an enemy
force for orchestrating atrocities; for stealing peace and development in their
community; radicalizing the IP youths; and for the gross violations of human
rights by the CTG.
“Even
before the issuance of Executive Order 70, we, the Higaonon tribe, had already
agreed to cut ties with the NPA rebels as they only violently attempt to
disrupt the peacefulness in our community,” said Inday Lindahog, Basbasunon nga
Babaidan of the Higaonon tribe in Sinakungan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
She
cited how their ancestral lands became a battleground for killing innocent
tribal members during encounters and snatching the life of tribal leaders who
opposed to the demands of the NPA.
Lindahog
said they want to quell violence as practiced by the NPA terrorists.
“They
encroach in our individual liberty to enjoy the riches and resources of our
very own ancestral domains. We have the right to defend our living traditions,
culture, and our dwelling place which we inherited from our line of descent,”
she added.
They
have continued to live in the forested mountains. Traditional farming has been
their source of livelihood. They grow organics, consume native rice and root
crops. Their practice of protecting and conserving the natural environment
manifests the abundance of their harvest.
They
had to offer a thanksgiving to the “Magbabaya,” the ruler of all, in a ritual
performance called “Pamamahandi.”
“Now
that the NTF-ELCAC is established, this begins the giving of attention not only
to the needs and clamor of the Higaonon in Caraga but of all the tribes in the
whole of Mindanao,” said Leouel Santos, director for operations of NTF-ELCAC
who was present during the Dumalongdong.
Atty.
Leuben Lingating, chairman of the indigenous people’s peace panel of OPAPP also
emphasized the call to strengthen the implementation of the “The Indigenous
Peoples' Rights Act of 1997” (IPRA) law.
“The
government aims to further empower the IP communities. The IPRA law had opened
greater opportunities and measures to protect the rights of IPs were
implemented in the respective communities in order to achieve the dream for
genuine peace and development,” Lingating said.
The
DILG and NICA also assured to prioritize the needs of the indigenous peoples.
“Our
office is open at all times to those who want to consult about certain issues
and concerns. We are ready to help you so do not hesitate to approach us. Let’s
work together in solving the problems in your community,” assured Donald
Seronay, assistant regional director of the DILG Caraga, adding that peace and
order is also their Department’s prime concern.
Seronay
also said the DILG supports the indigenous peoples' mandatory
representative (IPMR) program in which more local government units (LGUs)
were already accepting the involvement of IPMRs.
“Seeing
all of you today, I can affirm the strength of your tribal structure. I look
forward to your continued support to our government and participate in any
work-for-peace undertakings,” said Seronay.
Meanwhile,
Jun Bringas of NICA relayed to the Higaonon that the IPs themselves are the
reason for the establishment of NTF-ELCAC.
“President
Duterte knew the NPA rebels are preying on you and because of this, the
government is taking bold steps to rescue you from such oppression. Duterte
would not allow them to shatter your tribe by their cruel, unreasonable acts,”
Bringas said.
Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) officer-in-charge, director-general Abner
Caga was also grateful to have joined them in the Dumalongdong. He took the
privilege to discuss to them the thrusts of the Agency.
“The
CPP-NPA is relaying the wrong information to the public in a context that would
discredit the government. Be discerning enough about what they say or post on
social media. PIA is on track in fighting the spread of variety of fake news.
That is why we increased our efforts in communicating down to the grassroots.
I’ve learned your stories and will certainly disseminate these for other
appropriate interventions to come through,” said Caga.
As for
any religious faith and social diversity, the Higaonon remains a solid tribe
who takes pride in the mountain range where they inherited from their
aborigines.
Most
Reverend Cosme Damian Almedilla, Bishop of the
Diocese of Butuan, has truly heard from the horses’ mouth, the tribal leaders,
about how they defended their lands from infiltration of the NPA
terrorists.
“I’m in
awe of how you advocate in protecting our common home, our motherland, your
ancestral domain. Your place is holy because it is where you get your foods and
medicines. Continue aligning your efforts with the government’s strategic plans
for IP communities in order to achieve the target goals for lasting peace and
development,” said Almedilla.
Meanwhile,
the visiting team through the NTF-ELCAC officials handed over an initial cash
assistance to the Higaonon community inhabiting the site in Sinakungan, Agusan
del Sur.
Call for peace
For
decades, the Higaonon people are able to maintain their cultural integrity and
function as intermediaries to solve internal conflicts, imploring the wisdom of
counsel of the leaders of the tribe.
“We
have high respect for our leaders. We may have varied opinions but heed and
adhere to what the leaders would decide. Our tribe always considers peaceful
means of solving a problem,” said Lindahog.
She
mentioned that their elders and members are glad for the attention given and
for the programs and projects offered by the government to the IPs, citing the
scholarship grants from the NCIP, awarding of the Certificate of Ancestral
Domain Titles (CADTs), serbisyo caravans, and livelihood trainings, among
others.
However,
they also seek justice for the harassment and killings of the innocent tribal
leaders. They also hope that the lies and deceit of the NPA through continuous
recruitment and propaganda, including the urge to overthrow the government and
staging of the "bakwit" tactic will be over.
Known
for their nature of peaceful approaches and behaviors, the Higaonon community
not only seeks for their guardian spirits but for everyone to help out in
solving the problem on insurgency.
The
native people deserve a guarantee of equal protection from the endangerment by
the terrorist NPA in order for their tribe to thrive. (Venus L.
Garcia/PIA-Caraga)
Bridging the future:
Groundbreaking of P6.2M warehouse under Project ConVERGE
By Rechel
D. Besonia
“As we
mark the beginning of this construction, we affirm the ideals of which this
building will stand. We are living up to our commitment in helping our
farmer-beneficiaries in any way we can.”
This
was the statement of Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer
(PARPO) II, Jamil P. Amatonding Jr. of the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) Agusan del Sur, during the ceremonial groundbreaking of
the P6.2-M Warehouse/ Multi-Purpose Building which provided space for the
Multi-Pass Rice Mill and Recirculating Mechanical Dryer on January 14, 2020.
Said
building is part of component 2 (I-SHARED) of the Project Convergence on Value
Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) of which
the recipient ARBOs are given the provision of different infrastructures to
support the goal of the project which is to help them increase their income by
30 percent.
Project
ConVERGE in Agusan del Sur, which operates in VETREBUNS ARC Cluster
focuses on rice value chain particularly on rice production, processing, and
marketing wherein the Southern Agusan Seed Producers Cooperative (SASEPCO) is
the lead ARBO.
In his
message, Municipal Mayor William E. Calvez urged the ARBO to value the project.
“We are so privileged that DAR has eyed the needs of our rice farmers here in
VETREBUNS. We must put our hearts into this because this will bring forth
better opportunities in the future,” he said.
Upon
completion of the construction in five months, huge changes in the income
of rice farmers are expected to follow.
“We are
so glad that the long wait is finally over now and we can’t wait for the
project to be fully operationalized. Until then, we will see the impact of the
project has brought to our lives,” said Edwin Tabano, SASEPCO chairman. (DAR-Agusan
del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Conflict-affected IPs
in SurSur form women's org
TANDAG
CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 15 (PIA) -- Aimed to prepare the community
for the implementation of several government livelihood programs of the
Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in
Surigao del Sur, the conflict-affected Indigenous Peoples (IP) Community formed
a women’s organization named, Km9 Simuwao Kabudangan Association (KSKA) on
January 12, 2020, an army official confirmed.
According
to 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) Civil-Military Operations Officer Lt.
Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, 40 women of Sitio Simuwao (Kilometer 9) in Barangay
Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur have joined the women’s organization.
“This
is one of the IP community’s steps to become a resilient and empowered to any
conflict,” said Lt. Punsalan.
Based
on the report, the Community Support Program (CSP) teams composed of the 9th
Special Forces Company, 3SFBn, 41st Civil-Military Operations Company, Lianga
Police Community Relations, IP Tribal Council of Lianga and the Barangay Local
Government Unit of barangay Diatagon facilitated the drafting of their
constitution and by-laws. Their next activities will include leadership and
livelihood training.
In the
previous years, Kilometer 9 IPs were exploited by the alleged Communist NPA
Terrorist (CNTs) linked anti-government and militant groups through the conduct
of “Taktikang Bakwit," a military report said.
However,
according to Lt. Punsalan, through the local government unit (LGU)-led effort
to win the peace through the Task Force ELCAC and CSP, an environment of
genuine peace and reconciliation between the government to include the military
and the IP Community was fostered.
On the
previous dialogue conducted, some of the IPs were still doubtful, but with
tangible results of sustainable development and people empowerment by the
government such as the rehabilitation of farm to market roads, installation of
electricity lines, and the delivery of various government basic services, the
IPs found a real ally against the CNTs who exploited them.
“We now
realized that the only way to attain the tribe’s preservation and development
is to make ourselves resilient. We don’t need to rely always on the government.
Instead, we have to strive to have a better life,” said alias “Inday," a
mother from KM9.
The
Bayan Muna and Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang sa mga Sumusunod (MAPASU)
attempted to stop the government’s implementation of Executive Order No. 70 and
demanded to pull-out the military from the community but the provincial
government and the IP community remained steadfast to their commitment to end
insurgency and turned down their demand immediately.
Meanwhile,
the IP council mulled for the establishment of a detachment that will serve as
an inter-agency facility to address criminality, insurgency and environment
exploitation in Kilometer 9 to further boost their quest to have a resilient
community. (with a report from 3rd SF Battalion CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
