Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle yesterday joined the Lumads camping at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to express support to the indigenous groups’ pursuit to justice for their tribesmen who were victims of alleged attacks perpetrated by paramilitary groups.
In a meeting with Lumad leaders, Tagle has expressed the Church’s unity to the group. He also expressed his sadness over the tribulation that Mindanao is experiencing, particularly, for the Lumads who lost the lives of their leaders, their lands, livelihoods and homes.
“We are calling out to the leaders in the government. May they let peace triumph,” Tagle was quoted saying in Filipino in a report by Manila Bulletin.
“Second, we are calling for help for all the displaced Lumads who were forced to evacuate and are now residing in ‘evacuation areas.’ They need food, water, medicine, concern, and understanding,” he added.
Among the resolution that Tagle asked was for the National Democratic Front (NDF) to declare the areas inhibited by Lumads in Mindanao to be declared as “peace zones”.
He also called for a dialogue to talk about ending the violence targeting the indigenous groups. Tagle also hopes that the perpetrator of the crimes commited against Lumads be implicated.
“Let justice prevail, and those guilty of killing the IP leaders be made accountable,” Tagle said in the same report.
Tagle later handed to the Lumads an envelope containing donation from the Parish of the Nuestra Señora Del Perpetuo Socorro.
“We thank you for coming here to our camp site and for supporting our call for the pullout of the paramilitary. We are very thankful that the Church has spoken,” Manilakbayan spokesperson Datu Jomorito Goaynon said in the same report.
Goayon also asked the Church to help the group in asking for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) permission to allow the Lumads to stay longer in the area they are currently occupying as they will be in Manila until November 22.
Goayon said that they were saddened of DSWD’s decision to push them out of the area because they were an “eye sore”.
Tagle assured the Lumads that the Church will help.