Catholic Church condemns Lumad killings in Mindanao

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

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Catholic Church condemns Lumad killings in Mindanao

Vincent Go

Up to 2,700 people flee their homes to escape a recent spate of armed violence in Surigao del Sur, says the International Committee of the Red Cross

MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Church in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, condemned the recent killings of Lumad or indigenous people in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao.

In an interview with church-run Radyo Veritas, an official of the Diocese of Tandag said the local church is set to hold a caravan and issue a pastoral statement to condemn the killings.

Father Fortunato Estillore, who oversees indigenous peoples’ concerns for the Tandag diocese, told the church-run radio station: “Ngayon ang move ng diocese, in solidarity with them, gagawa kami ng caravan in protest, to condemn this act of violence. Marami na kasing nabiktima. At maglalabas kami ng pastoral statement para kondenahin ang pangyayari.”

(Now the move of the diocese, in solidarity with them, is to lead a caravan in protest, to condemn this act of violence. This is because many people have become victimized. And we will issue a pastoral statement to condemn these incidents.)

Estillore also said: “Ginagawa namin, gaya ng gobyerno na may responsibilidad na tulungan ang mga katutubo, hindi kami nagpapabaya. Kami rin sa Simbahan, nagbigay ng relief goods gaya ng pagkain, tinulungan sila sa kanilang legal proceedings.”

(What we’re doing, like the goverment that has the responsibility to help the indigenous people, is we’re not taking this sitting down. We in the Church are giving relief goods like food, and are helping them in their legal proceedings.)

The Diocese of Tandag covers the province of Surigao del Sur, where Lumad leaders recently died in a spate of violence linked to the military. (READ: AFP denies role in Lumad deaths)

On September 1, a paramilitary group murdered a school director and two community leaders in Surigao del Sur. Days earlier, a reported clash with the military killed 5 alleged communist guerillas in Bukidnon, also in Mindanao. (READ: Lumad: Caught in the middle of a war)

Red Cross: 2,700 fled homes

To escape armed violence in Surigao del Sur, around 2,700 people “fled their homes,” the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

“We abandoned our home out of fear,” 39-year-old Lita Tejero said, as quoted by the ICRC in a statement Thursday, September 10. 

The ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross gave them relief goods on Tuesday, September 8, as the displaced families take shelter at the provincial sports center.

“The ICRC reminds all parties to the armed violence of the need to respect human life and dignity at all times. Civilians – regardless of their religion, ethnic group, gender or political beliefs – and their property must be spared from the violence,” the humanitarian organization said.

Earlier, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) also condemned the Lumad killings

The NCCP, which describes itself as “the largest non-Catholic church organization in the Philippines,” also slammed the “militarization” in Mindanao. 

“We call on authorities to bring to justice the death of our Lumad brothers, the victims of these two horrendous massacres, and permit the conduct of independent fact finding missions,” the NCCP said in a statement Saturday, September 5.

The killings also prompted netizens to tweet with the hashtag, #StopLumadKillings, as they demanded accountability from President Benigno Aquino III. – Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com