By Aliene Pearl D. Condez
 |
The BA
Communication students and Prof. Beverly Anne F. Santos (center) with the
Lumads.
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With
the hope to attain just and lasting peace, SANDUGO:
A People’s camp for Peace, Unity and Justice was held last December 1-10,
2016 at the AMSUA Park, Mindanao State University, General Santos City.
Three faculty staff from the
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) namely Ms. Beverly Anne F. Santos, Ms. Rocyl
E. Bagatila and Ms. Pabnaveth
Bagus together
with two BA Communication students namely Chrysa Hazelene
The peace camp involved Lumads
and their leaders coming from different tribal community. According to the
organizers of the peace camp, the Kampuhan served as a peaceful protest of the
Lumads who experienced injustices and maltreatment in their respective native
communities and were affected of the militarization.
Lumad schools like an
alternative learning center in Surigao have been made into a military camp
resulting fear to the people living around the area. Two farmers are also
reported missing and a missionary priest, Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME, a vigilant
advocate and supporter of Lumads’ rights, was killed at his own church on
October 17, 2011, inside the compound of the Mother of Perpetual Help parish
church in Arakan. Mining and illegal logging are also a concern of the camp as
it affects the source of living for the lumads, the forest and mountains.
One of their supporters is South
Cotabato Board Member Romulo O. Solivio Sr.
“As a leader, we are the voice
of the people. Apart from our legislative works, like signing documents and
passing ordinances, we also need to initiate people to organize and ear their
grievances like this Kampuhan…combined with my commitment to hear and listen,
one way communication isn’t enough, there should also be government officials
to join this kind of gathering,” Solivio explained.
The said peace camp was
organized by three NGOs namely the KALUHHAMIN, SOS Network-SOCSKSARGENDS and
Sowing the Seeds Of Peace SOCSKSARGEN.
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