The only way to end the
recurring cycle of death and evacuation plaguing the lumad is to “disarm,
disband or kill” the Magahat-Bagani militia that has been committing atrocities
against their fellow tribesfolk, according to the Governor of Surigao del Sur.
In fact, he said, he is
willing to raise bounties for the heads—literally—of militia leaders.
Describing the situation in
his province, the governor said: “There is a serious breakdown of law and
order because these people (militias) think they’re above the law.”
He also scored the military
for denying responsibility for organizing and arming the militia, “when it is
very clear they are under the control and supervision of the Army” and “can
even be seen inside their camps.”
He added that the militias
are well-armed with weapons such as Baby Armalites and Bushmasters. “Where
would they get these weapons if not the military?” he said. “If you trace their
serial numbers, I am sure you will find these in their inventory. They are
trying to fool even us.”
Close to 3,000 evacuees,
mostly Manobo from the hinterlands of five Surigao del Sur towns, have fled to
the provincial capital Tandag City and have sought shelter at the sports
stadium following a wave of atrocities since last month blamed by the refugees
and the governor himself on the militias. –End-
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