At least 15,000 people leave shelter in village gymnasium alleging further persecution by Philippine military
An estimated 1,600 tribal people in the southern Philippine province of Surigao del Sur march to the provincial capital Tandag on July 30 to complain against alleged military harassment in their villages. (Photo courtesy of Karapatan)
Ben Serrano, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
July 30, 2018
More than 1,500 tribal people in the southern Philippines, who fled their homes early this month due to alleged harassment by soldiers, were on the move again July 30 at the start of another exodus.
From a village in the town of Lianga, Surigao del Sur province, the tribal people began a 90-km walk to the provincial capital city of Tandag.
They claimed they could no longer take continuing pressure from the military, who have accused them of being rebel sympathizers.
In a statement, human rights group Karapatan said the people had to leave because of “escalating military persecution.”
“We can no longer bear the difficulties inside the gymnasium,” said Sandy Sanchez, spokesman of the tribal group Mapasu.
He said the people had no access to water of food in the village gymnasium where they had taken refuge and which was surrounded by soldiers. “We decided to leave the area,” Sanchez told ucanews.com.
“We cannot return home because of the presence of the military in our villages. We don’t want to be caught in the crossfire [in clashes with rebels],” he said.
About 1,600 tribal people fled their homes in 15 communities in the towns of Lianga and San Agustin on July 16 and sought refuge in the village of Diatagon in Lianga.
They said they were forced to leave their communities because soldiers, who set up camp in their communities, had been “spreading fear” among residents.
Even in the evacuation center, the people claimed the soldiers followed them, and prevented food and water supplies reaching them.
“The military had virtually taken control of the evacuation center. The [tribal people] felt that they were not safe there,” said Bishop Rhee Timbang of the Philippine Independent Church.
The prelate, who is the local head of human rights group Karapatan, said people are taking a “communal journey.”
“They are to walk literally to a safer place, a secured sanctuary,” he said. “It does not matter how many days it takes them to walk,” the bishop added.
The march started about two o’clock in the morning. “We will rest when we get tired,” Sanchez told ucanews.com by phone.
Authorities said they had no idea what prompted the people to leave and march to the provincial capital.
“We only learned early today that the evacuees had left,” said Merlyn Layno, disaster management officer of Lianga town.
It was not the first time that the tribal people have fled their homes. In 2015, they fled after gunmen executed their tribal leaders.
In 2017, they left their communities due to military operations against communist rebels in the area.
