CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Beyond symbolism, the protest caravan dubbed as "Manilakbayan" has brought to national attention the plight of indigenous peoples (IPs) and the Moro people of Mindanao, organizers said.
Hundreds of "Manilakbayan" delegates embarked on a month-long journey that took them to the streets of the National Capital Region (NCR), holding forums at different universities and holding rallies in front of government offices to seek redress on issues that they say have hounded tribal and Moro communities for long.
They returned Tuesday, Sept. 26, to this city, where they started the march roughly a month ago, hopeful that their issues have been heard, but anxious at the same time to confront the same problems when they go back to their communities.
Nonetheless, Datu Jimboy Mandaguit, secretary general of the Kalumbay IP group in Northern Mindanao, said they were elated to have been warmly received by students of colleges and universities who listened to their issues and concerns.
Datu Mandaguit said about 2,000 students from 42 schools in the NCR had participated in forums with Manilakbayan delegates to listen and express support as they discussd wide-ranging issues such the IP and the Moro's struggle for land, environment and human rights.
“They stayed with us and listened to our stories,” Mandaguit said. “We can no longer keep quiet. We have to share our experiences.”
Mandaguit claimed that various IP groups in Northern Mindanao, especially in Bukidnon, have suffered from abuses and injustices, including the deaths of tribal members and leaders allegedly in the hands of armed paramilitary groups.
In NCR, the tribal leader said they had the chance to sit with Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones to discuss reports of military presence in lumad communities and schools.
He said Briones has assured them to "look into these allegations as she insisted that soldiers are not allowed to camp out in IP campuses and villages."
Datu Jomorito Goaynon, Kalumbay regional chairman, said that they failed to seek audience with President Rodrigo Duterte and other national government officials, Manilakbayan was a success "in terms of raising awareness among the different sectors in Manila."
Sittie Rahma, member of Tindeg Ranao, said one of the calls for the protest caravan was for President Duterte to lift Martial Law in Mindanao and the immediate rehabilitation of Marawi City. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)
