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| Photo credit to We The Future PH |
My heart goes to the indigenous people of the Manobo-Pulangiyon in Quezon, Bukidnon province.
Recently, some members of the tribal communities were assaulted as they aired their concern about the land grabbing issue to presidential candidate, also labor activist Leody de Guzman.
The Manobo tribe of Mindanao were said to have originated from the early Malay inhabitants that came from the surrounding Southeast Asia islands whose primary source of living is agriculture. Despite the changes in the life, ecological landscape and interiors of Mindanao the Manobo communities have continued to adapt. But while these IP communities remain adaptable to changes they are also susceptible to advances.
Sadly, the local government of the province which was supposed to protect them was being alleged to be a party in assaulting them. On Tuesday, April 19, a shooting incident that lasted about 16-minutes has transpired at the group's ancestral land hurting at least five people as they discussed the land grabbing protest to Ka Leody.
Perhaps, it's about time that the government also include our indigenous people to what they call "inclusive governance" because they can also help in pushing the country's economy forward.
Maybe it is now necessary that we in the mainland should also consider electing someone in the national position who will not only recognize the indigenous tribe but will also protect them such as the likes of Teddy Baguilat Jr.