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#LupangRamos | Kalahating siglong laban ng magsasaka para sa lupa

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#LupangRamos | Kalahating siglong laban ng magsasaka para sa lupa

Nakapanayam namin si Orly Marceliana, pangkalahatang Kalihim ng Katipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan o KASAMA-TK, upang magbahagi ng kasaysayan ng karaingan at paglaban ng mga magsasaka para sa lupa sa Lupang Ramos.

Kwento ni Ka Orly, ang Lupang Ramos ay isa lamang sa mga manipestasyon ng kawalan ng tunay na reporma sa lupa sa bansa.

Noong panahon ng pananakop ng mga Amerikano, tinawag nang “Lupang Kano” ang Lupang Ramos. Sa ilalim ng batas ng Commonwealth, ang Lupang Ramos ay dineklarang pampublikong lupain at bukas para panirahan ng mga mamamayan ng Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Nagsimula ang paghahabol sa pagmamay-ari ng lupa ni Emerito Ramos noong 1965, matapos nito magtayo ng bodega bilang opisina sa gitna ng 372 ektaryang lupain.

Noong 1972, nagdeklara ang dating diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. na tamnan ng palay at mais ang mga lupain na nasa ilalim ng programa ng reporma sa lupa. Subalit, ang pamilya Ramos ay nagpalit sa produksyon ng tubo sa layuning hindi maisama sa nasabing reporma sa lupa.

Sa pagsasabatas ng Republic Act No. 6657 o Comprehensive Agrarian  Reform Bill o CARP ng administrasyon ni Corazon Aquino, ang real estate na kumpanya ng pamilyang Ramos, ang Emerito M. Ramos and Sons Property (EMRASON), ay gumawa naman ng hakbang na mapaalis ang mga magsasaka sa nasabing lupain.

Isang taon bago matapos ang siyam na taong termino ni Gloria Arroyo, pinirmahan naman niya ang limang taong ekstensyon ng CARP, ang CARPER. Sinabi ng CARPER na dapat mapamahagi ang mga 90% target na lupang nasa pasok orihinal na CARP sa loob ng limang taon—bagay na hindi naggawa ng gobyerno at ng implementasyon ng batas na CARP sa loob ng dalawang dekada. Pinakahuli sa mga ipamamahagi ang malalaking pribadong agrikultural na lupain—gaya ng mga asyenda, gaya ng mga ari-arian ng mga nagtulak sa batas CARP at CARPER, mga lupain ng mga Cojuangco-Aquino at mga Arroyo.

Kaya naman naririnig sa mga pagkilos ng magsasaka ang mga sigaw na “tunay na reporma sa lupa,” dahil mula kay Marcos hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay hungkag ang reporma sa lupa ng gobyerno. Sinasabing binubuo ng mga magsasaka ang 75% ng populasyon sa bansa, pero kalakhan sa kanila’y walang lupa at walang makain at naghihirap.

Setyembre nang nakaraang taon, nagsimulang kolektibong bungkalin ng mga magsasakang kasapi ng Katipunan ng mga Lehitimong Magsasaka ng Lupang Ramos (KASAMA-LR) ang Lupang Ramos. Bagaman atrasado raw ang pamamaraan ng pagsasaka, ang Lupang Ramos ay napakinabangan naman ng mga magsasaka sa kanilang sama-samang pagtatanim.

Kamakailan lamang, bago magsimula ulit ang bungkalan para sa panahon ng tag-ulan, pinagbantaan na diumano ang mga miyembro ng samahan: Pinaghahandaan na kayo ng mga baril at bala.

Nabuko ng KASAMA-LR na nagpupulong na ang mga grupong gustong kamkamin at ibenta ang Lupang Ramos. Ang grupong Tunay na Buklod ng Magsasaka o Buklod, na dating grupo ng lahat ng magsasaka sa Lupang Ramos, ay sumali rin sa pagtatanim upang maagaw sa mga magsasaka ang mga lupa. Ang mga lupang natatamnam ng mga miyembro ng Buklod ang siyang pinaghahandaang ibenta sa malalaking negosyante, na ang napapabalita ay ang pamilyang Ayala.

Nagkaroon ng iba’t ibang porma mg pandarahas para pigilan ang KASAMA-LR sa pagbubungkal ng lupa. Panghaharang, pananakal, at pambubugbog ang inabot ng mga magsasakang pinilit panghawakan ang kanilang mga karapatan. Noong Hunyo 4, pinaputukan ang mga magsasaka ng baril.

Kahit ang mga pulis ay naging inutil sa pangyayari. Sila ay nananatiling mga bulat at bingi sa hinaing ng mga magsasaka at kibit-balikat sa lantarang interes ng kabilang grupo na pagkaperahan ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang pagbenta ng mga lupa.

Nasa pangalawang yugto ng laban ng mga magsasaka ng Lupang Ramos, ani Ka Orly. Kinakailangan nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan sa pagmamay-ari ng lupang sinasaka mula kay Nestor Pangilinan at sa bentador ng lupa na lider ng Buklod na si Rudy Herrera at iba pa nilang mga kasamahan.

“Tayo ay nananawagan na suportahan ang bungkalan. Pagyamanin ang Lupang Ramos para sa kinabukasan ng kanilang mga pamilya,” wika ni Ka Orly.

 

Mahigpit na nakikiisa si Ka Orly sa mga magsasaka ng Lupang Ramos.

 

Sabi ni Ka Orly na iilan na lamang ang lupaing agrikultural sa Cavite, ngunit hindi suportado ng lokal na gobyerno at maging ng pambansang pamahalaan ang pagpapayaman sa mga ito para sa produksyon ng pagkain. Tila wala ring interes ang mga nasa kapangyarihan para protektahan ang ating mga magsasaka mula sa mga naglalakihang panginoong maylupa at mga negosyante nais lamang pagkakitaan ang payak na kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan.

Kaya naman malaki ang pangangailangan ng tunay reporma sa lupa para sa mga magsasaka ng Lupang Ramos at maging sa buong bansa. Mahalaga sana ang pagpapatuloy ng usapang pangkapayapaan kung saan pinagkakasunduan na ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at pagpapaunlad sa kanayunan, na kalakip ang libreng pamamahagi ng lupa at suporta sa mga magsasaka.

 

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Ang lupa ay mahalaga para sa mga magsasaka. Ito ang kanilang buhay.

Mula sa kapanganakan at hanggang sa huling hininga, ito ang sumusustento sa kanilang mga batayang pangangailangan. Ngunit gaya ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng mga magsasaka sa buong bansa, ang Lupang Ramos ay ipinagkakait sa mga may kakayanang maglinang nito.

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NutriAsia denies its manpower agency’s practice of ‘endo’; police denies violent dispersal

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Following the bloody dispersal of workers’ picketline on Thursday, NutriAsia, Inc. (NutriAsia) releases a statement on June 16 that started by saying it “categorically denies that endo or “end of contract” is being practiced by its service provider/toll packer in Marilao plant. The Company agrees and supports the government’s stand against endo and other illegal forms of contractualization.”

The statement was issued following the Thursday noon police dispersal of the picket line of the workers, leaving score bloodied and injured while 23 were arrested and detained on charges of physical injury and assault.

Workers were on strike since June 2, following the dismissal of 70 workers. The workers also complained of contractualization, low wages and unhealthy working conditions in the company.

The big condiments company also said in their statement the workers deployed by their manpower agency are the latter’s regular employees.

“As such, they are not terminated every five months and contracted again for another five months. They are assured of and enjoy security of tenure as well as all benefits mandated by law, as would any regular employee of any employer does. Being the employer, the provider/toller has the management prerogative to assign its employees with various clients. In practice, however, as a concession to the employees, the provider/toller usually assigns them to a client which is close to their area of residence,” explained the company.

B-Mirk Enterprises Corporation is one of NutriAsia’s three manpower agencies, also referred to by the company as its provider/toller.

“Despite this, it is unfortunate that a minority of the employees of our Provider/Toller were cajoled, and joined by groups such as Kadamay, to commit prohibited activities against the client of their employer. For about two weeks, they managed to prohibit entry to and exit from the plant, which not only completely paralyzed operations but also disrupted the livelihood of their fellow workers,” said the company.

The statement ended with cautioning the public against “issuing unfounded statements in the interest of upholding the law and in promoting the spirit of truth and fairness.”

(Read NutriAsia’s statement here)

Police denied allegations on the violent dispersal and instead said it was a confrontation.

Bulacan acting police chief Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna said the police exercised maximum tolerance in dealing with the workers. He also accused the group Kadamay of instigating the confrontation when their members tried to remove the barricade to go inside the NutriAsia premises. He said there was a Bulacan Regional Trial Court on June 6 and 8 to dismantle the picket and thought that the protest would be over when the protesters lying on the ground stood up and left.

Youth groups present during the dispersal posted videos as it happened.

 


DOLE order to regularize workers

In its statement, NutriAsia said its manpower agency has Certificate of Registration under Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order 174 (DO 174) and “not a fly-by-night contractor, which is the evil sought to be prevented by law.”

However, DOLE said in February that NutriAsia and three of its contracting agencies, including B-Mirk, were found violating labor rules.

“Nutri-Asia and its three contractors — Alternative Network Resources Unlimited Multipurpose Cooperative, Serbiz Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and B-Mirk Enterprises Corporation — were found violating labor laws and general labor standards, and engaged in labor-only contracting activities,” it said.

It also ordered more than 900 workers to be regularized.

“In a compliance order issued by DOLE Regional Office 4A Director Zenaida Angara-Campita, the companies were directed to give regular employment status to 914 of their workers. The order cited a number of violations including the exercise by the principal (Nurti-Asia) of full authority over the deployed workers in the performance of their assigned jobs, as well as the lack of substantial capital on the part of the contractors as evidenced by the employees’ use of the principal’s equipment and tools in performing their outsourced services,” said the agency’s statement on February 23.

The statement also said that DOLE found some violations of Occupational Safety and Health Standards during their inspection. Other findings during the general inspection include violations of the general labor standards, such as underpayment of basic wages and other wage-related benefits.

 

Contractualization and DO 174

And what is DO 174, if we may recall?

(Get a copy of DO 174 here.)

DO 174 was signed and released on March 16, 2017, superseding DOLE DO No. 18-A (D.O. 18-A), which was the governing rule on labor contractualization since 2011. DOLE said that more workers will be regularized with the implementation of DO 174.

However, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno remarked upon the new DO’s release that it is a “mere rehash of DO 18-A and it upholds the “win-win” solution proposed by the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines.”

The group further explained that prohibitions stated under DO 174 – primarily (forms of) labor only contracting – were already prohibited by existing laws. In the end, the order is an order for ‘regulating’ contractualization and not ending it and therefore continue ‘legitimizing’ it, the group said.

The labor group also said the workers would still not become regular workers of the company in whose trade they are engaged, but regular employees of the manpower agency.

“Regulation is not prohibition. The DO 174 would not end but instead promote what it deems as legal forms of contractualization. Like (former President Benigno) Aquino’s DO 18-A, it merely teaches employers how to circumvent labor laws to make their contractual employment schemes legitimate,” Jerome Adonis of KMU said.

Another labor group, Sentro, said the “repeated assertion by DOLE officials that they cannot prohibit contracting out of labor is simply not true” and that “gave more than sufficient authority to the Secretary of Labor and Employment to address whatever abuse workers face under contracting arrangements.”

“Based on the Labor Code, as amended, the secretary of labor has no power to prohibit all forms of contractualization and fixed term employment. This matter is a function of legislation. While he has quasi-legislative power, the secretary of labor cannot, through rules and regulations, amend or supplant existing provisions of law,” DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a news briefing on the day of the release of DO 174.

Article 106 of the Labor Code says: “The Secretary of Labor and Employment may, by appropriate regulations, restrict or prohibit the contracting-out of labor to protect the rights of workers established under this Code.”

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Youth and students pour in support for NutriAsia workers

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Youth and students pour in support for NutriAsia workers

Since June 2, NutriAsia workers installed their picket line outside the company’s factory in Marilao, Bulacan following the illegal dismissal of around 70 workers. The workers also demanded for regularization, decent wages, humane working conditions, and recognition of their union, Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Nutriasia.

On June 16, student groups from University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Sto. Tomas and College of Saint Benilde among others trooped to NutriAsia to show support for the workers.

Pat Cierva of Kabataan Partylist Metro Manila condemned the bloody police dispersal of workers’ picketline as groups of students trooped to NutriAsia factory on June 16. Photo by Habagat Farrales.

 

Youth and labor groups also called for the dropping of physical injury and assault charges filed against 23 workers who were arrested during the June 14 dispersal.

NutriAsia is the producer, marketer and distributor of condiments Datu Puti, Silver Swan, Mang Tomas, Jufran, Papa Banana Catsup, UFC, cooking oil Golden Fiesta and beverage products Locally. The company is owned by Joselito Campos, Sr, whose family reportedly had a $650 million net worth. Only 100 of 1,400 workers are said to be contractual, according to the workers seeking regularization.

 

 

Scores were hurt following the dispersal and 23 were arrested, including a Senior High School student from Lyceum of the Philippines University who was reported to be documenting the dispersal.

 

 

News of the forced dispersal of the workers’ picketline broke out on social media platform Twitter as it happened on June 14.

 

 

Calls for support for the workers gained more ground as photos of bloodied workers in the police dispersal spread online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calls for boycott of NutriAsia products also went viral.

 

 

 

Netizens also assailed corporate media lack of coverage on the ongoing struggle of the workers in NutriAsia even after the dispersal. Some also hit the silence of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) days after the strike and the dispersal.

 

The post Youth and students pour in support for NutriAsia workers appeared first on Manila Today.

Ramadan ends with thousands of Moro evacuees

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MAGUINDANAO, Philippines- As the Moro people celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr or the end of the Holy Ramadan on Friday, thousands of Moro…

The Government of Lies, Lies, Lies

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The Government of Lies, Lies, Lies

They government representatives so mastered the art of lying and deceiving the people that the most fascinating magic trick in the world pales in comparison; except that the art of our public officials and politicians does not fascinate, it destroys lives. An art so cynical as to treat their subjects as disposable objects; so flagrant as to abuse institutions for their own enrichment. Our politicians are getting fatter and fatter from the catastrophes –which they themselves have wrought– that beset our country.

The Russian founder of collectivist anarchism Michael Bakunin observed that “when it comes to exploitation, [the elites] practice solidarity,” also when it comes to lies and deceits our government representatives seem to me peerless.

The rise of Fake News spreading in social media seems to have originated in Official Lies which our politicians without shame and scruples keep concocting daily. No wonder “the world of politics,” condemned Bakunin, “has always been and continues to be the stage for unlimited rascality and brigandage, brigandage and rascality which, by the way, are held in high esteem.”

Despite the flood of lies that splashes from the sewage of politics and the media, a good part (mostly the middle classes) of our society seems to lapse into silence and apathy.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who stood up against the rising reaction lamented:

“We have been mostly silent and inert. We seem to have grown inured to perennial acts of corruption. What is preventing us from doing something about the situation? Could it be the daily struggle to survive, on the part of the less fortunate? Could it be the comforts of a corner office, on the part of the more fortunate? “

What are we to make of the wildfire of lies and deceits of recent events?

I

How could one miss the melodramatic mendacity of Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano who, if proven that “we lost a single island during Duterte’s time,” will resign and surrender public office?

Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario confirmed that “the Philippines lost control of Sandy Cay in late 2017 when President Duterte ordered the cessation of construction there due to vehement reaction from China.” The existence of Chinese arms in the said island is not even a secret, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano seconded:

“It is crystal clear that China is strengthening its militarization of the South China Sea, having deployed an H-6K bomber aircraft after setting up a missiles system just last month. H-6K is a strategic bomber with combat radius of 3,500 km. The range of the bomber practically covers the entire Philippine territory and should definitely cause alarm. I condemn the recent actions of China as this further erodes peace and stability in the region.”

Empirical evidence has so greatly increased of Duterte’s “diplomatic” relations with China which practically surrenders the right of sovereignty of the Philippines over its islands that packing bags renders a more honorable option for Secretary Cayetano.

II

On cynical robbery in modern times, who could match the talent of Solicitor General Jose Calida (apart from former vice president Jejomar Binay)?

SolGen Calida has been described accurately by imprisoned Senator De Lima, as the “new poster boy [for] corruption” for bagging, through his firm Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Incorporated, “more than 10 government contracts worth at least P261.39 million” and another additional P110M contract “with the House of Representatives and 2 with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.”

But presidential spokesperson Harry Roque sees “no conflict of interest” in the transaction, only the way things are; meaning, thievery and plunder are not subjects of “conflict of interest,” rather they are the foundations of political life in the Philippines. Senator De lima opposed:

“By getting away with millions of pesos in government contracts, Calida is now the role model in government corruption. If we let him get away with it, we are not only normalizing thievery and mainstreaming plunder as a way of life in secret, but out in the open, where enterprising public officials brag about their ill-gotten wealth as the legitimate fruit of being in power, being corrupt, and being shameless about it.”

It is a cause for utter disgust and shame to think of the amount of government money (which is public money) going to the pockets of a family owned business while millions of Filipinos continue to live under conditions of poverty and injustice.

III

Whose pockets were not holed by the nasty nature of TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law which state economists and the President himself hail as an economic achievement in the country?

Labor groups and grass roots movements have denounced the Law as anti-poor while the research group IBON called on “the administration’s insistence on TRAIN” as sheer “insensitivity to consumers and the working people in its drive for higher revenues. As it is, almost 18 million Filipino families are already hard-pressed to survive on incomes below the family living wage of Php30,000 per month.”

The outrageous claims of Budget Chief Diokno and the big employers that the P750 minimum wage will cause unemployment are but the old, worn out political tactics of the government of shifting the burden to the worker’s shoulders.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, during the Dutertenomics Forum at the Fairmont Makati on August 10, 2017, highlights the increased government spending for various government projects. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

A study conducted by IBON showed “that raising minimum wages nationwide to Php750 is doable, need not spike prices further, and will benefit millions of Filipino workers and the economy.” The study continues:

“Raising minimum wages nationwide to Php750 is doable if owners of establishments allow a small portion of their profits to go to their workers instead.”

“Firms and the economy as a whole have more than enough profits to support this.

Data from the 2015 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that the 34,740 establishments employing 20 or more have Php1.7 trillion in total profits and 4.5 million employees. Raising the average daily basic pay of wage and salary workers from the nationwide average of Php378.71 to Php750 transfers just Php473.2 billion to workers’ pockets, which is only a 28.3% decrease in profits. Workers will meanwhile get to take home an additional Php8,076 per month on average.

“This still falls short of the family living wage and does not necessarily bring everyone up to a decent standard of living but such an increase will provide immediate relief to millions of Filipino workers and their families.”

IV

Who was not dismayed when the Supreme Court granted the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno?

Both the CHR (Commission on Human Rights) and IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) have condemned the act of the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Opposition Lawmaker Edcel Lagman described the ruling a hara kiri (a brutal Japanese ritual suicide):

“The majority of the Supreme Court committed hara kiri with its bludgeoning the independence of the judiciary and desecrating the sanctity of the Constitution by ousting Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in an improvident quo warranto proceeding.”

The Supreme Court’s political maneuver against Sereno is an indication of the widespread corruption that has eaten the very institutions that are supposed to uphold the principles of democracy. It only shows that the highest court is now subservient to the whims of the administration and that it is no longer employed to protect the plain legal rights of Filipino citizens. If they can “legally” bludgeon a Chief Justice, what is the fate of a common citizen?

V

Whose heart was not saddened by the murder of Fr. Mark Ventura, a young Cagayan priest, the persecution of Sr. Patricia Fox, the recent detention of labor activist Juan Alexander Reyes who was illegally arrested by the PNP on trumped-up charges. The labor group Defend Job Philippines stated:

“Reyes has been known to be a champion of workers rights and welfare– for regularization, higher wages, and better working conditions– both in the private and public sector.”

Those voices and groups that confront the monstrosity of impunity, corruption, injustice, and violence in this country are marked politically, they become a ready target for the government’s spurious red-tagging venom (communist, terrorist, rebel, undesirable alien, etc.), while the real perpetrators who hold office are rewarded and held in high esteem.

This year, Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Mocha Uson received an award from a prestigious university.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte examines a portrait painting of himself which was presented during the Christmas Party for bloggers at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang Park on December 11, 2017. Also in the photo is Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Last year, 2017, the notorious former PNP Chief Ronald Bato Dela Rosa was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize International.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte boards the command car as he troops the line during the Philippine National Police (PNP) Change of Command Ceremony at Camp BGen. Rafael Crame in Quezon City on April 19, 2018. Accompanying the President is outgoing PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Is it really the case that praises are heaped on the efficacy of the guillotine and laurels are bestowed on executioners and liars?

VI

Indeed, these are terrifying events as we approach the middle of the year 2018. The collective betrayal of political, juridical, financial institutions and the elites is an unmistakable sign of a dying democracy. The destructive lies of those who wield power are limitless and ruthless. To trust these authorities is hopeless.

The only salvation lies in us: in our capacity to unite and resist.

To wage a vigorous fight for social change requires radical solidarity. While those in power practice solidarity in exploitation and lies, our solidarity should be in intelligence, compassion, truth, and love.

This entails a broadly based movement of citizens, students, communities, grassroots movements, labor groups, peasant organizations, and institutions working out common goals. A creative and dynamic alliance of the left that can articulate and tackle the most pressing issues of our time. With the looming economic catastrophe of TRAIN Law, the middle classes are now beginning to suffer what the working classes have been wont to suffer. This should lead us to an acknowledgement of our shared predicament and that our rights and liberties do not come from above but the product of people organizing, people in solidarity, people becoming radical. To be a radical today implies a total distrust in the government and a commitment to clarity and truth. There lies our hope.

Carlo Rey Lacsamana is a Filipino, born and raised in Manila, Philippines. Since 2005, he has been living and working in the Tuscan town of Lucca, Italy.

The post The Government of Lies, Lies, Lies appeared first on Manila Today.

Book on the history of the socialist movement in the Philippines launches

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By April Burcer A book on the history of the socialist movement originally written as a graduate thesis by then Philippine Army Captain Dante Simbulan was launched Saturday, June 16, at the University of the Philippines (UP). “Excellent work, captivating narrative,” was how Jose Ma. Sison, founding chair of the re-established Communist Party of the […]

‘The fight for genuine independence continues’

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Silip sa buhay ng mga bakwit na Lumad sa New Haran

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Silip sa buhay ng mga bakwit na Lumad sa New Haran

“Wala nang lugar ang takot sa amin. Sapagkat lahat ng takot ay napalitan na ng tapang para sa aming buhay at lupang ninuno,” wika ni Bai Ellen Manlibaas.

Isa si Bai Ellen sa mga babaeng lider Lumad sa pangkat ng Matigsalug sa White Kulaman Kitaotao, Bukidnon. Kasama niya sa pamamahala si Datu Isidro Indayao sa pamumuno sa Matigsalug.

Si Bai Ellen ay 16 taon nang presidente ng Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas sa Bukidnon, isang samahan ng mga mag-uuma.

Nagsisikap si Bai Ellen na makapagpatuloy sa pamumuhay ang kanilang komunidad. Larawan ni Marhiel Garrote.

Tahimik na namumuhay sa panatag na kabundukan ng Bukidnon ang pangkat nila Bai Ellen. Subalit taong 2015, binulabog sila ng mga tinagurian nila mga busaw (halimaw)—ang mga militar.

Agosto 26, 2015, biglang hinuli ang anim sa kanilang pangkat kabilang na si Bai Ellen, kasama ang pitong mga Lumad mula sa ibang pangkat. Ang dahilan daw ng kanilang pagkakahuli ay sila raw ay mga rebelde o di kaya’y tagasuporta ng rebelde. Isinakay pa ang 13 nahuli sa isang chopper na tila ba isang mapanganib na kriminal.

Subalit ang mga hinuli ng mga militar na ito ay mga lider ng komunidad at mga lider ng mga organisasyon na masikhay na lumalaban para sa kanilang lupang ninuno. Kriminal bang maituturing ang pagtatanggol sa lupang ninuno?

Taong 2015, nagbakwit ang iba pang mga katutubong Lumad sa UCCP Haran sa Davao City dahil sa matinding militarisasyon sa kanilang komunidad. Matapos ang dalawang taong pamamalagi sa dahil ang pangkat nila Bai Ellen ay napagdesisyonang bumalik sa kanilang komunidad sapagkat hindi sanay ang kanilang mga katawan sa klima ng syudad.

Dalawang taon nang namamalagi ang pangkat ng Matigsalug sa New Haran. Larawan ni Marhiel Garrote.

Pagbalik nila sa kanilang komunidad hindi pa rin nawawala ang presensya ng mga militar kaya naman nagtayo sila ng isang kamuhan ng mga bakwit dalawang barangay ang layo mula sa kanilang komunidad sa White Kulaman.

Pansamantala silang nagtayo sa Kabalantian Kitaotao, Bukidnon ng isang bakwit na tinawag nilang New Haran. Mayroong 48 pamilya ang naninirahan dito. Tinatayang 100 mga kabataan at 150 na mga matatanda ang nakatira dito.

Dalawang taon nang namamalagi ang pangkat ng Matigsalug sa New Haran at hanggang ngayon at hindi pa rin sila makabalik sa kanilang komunidad. Nagtayo sila ng Bakwit school na mayroong 37 mag-aaral mula Grade 7 hanggang Grade 10.

Mga kabataang Lumad sa New Haran.

Kasalukuyan din silang nagpapatayo ng Day Care Center para sa mga mas musmos na batang Matigsalug.

Apat na taon na ang lumipas subalit hindi pa rin makaapak sa lupang ninuno ang mga Lumad.

Ika nga ni Bai Ellen, kailangang magpatuloy ang buhay. At dahil sila’y ginigipit, kailangang magpatuloy ang buhay sa gitna ng paglaban.

Komunidad ng bakwit sa Kabalantian Kitaotao, Bukidnon na tinawag nilang New Haran. Larawan ni Marhiel Garrote.

The post Silip sa buhay ng mga bakwit na Lumad sa New Haran appeared first on Manila Today.

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