Villagers flee homes in Surigao del Sur

BUTUAN CITY – An undetermined number of villagers, many of them lumads or indigenous peoples (IPs), fled their homes after an alleged attack on their highland community by unidentified armed group in Kilometer 19, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, a sketchy report reaching this city said.

An initial report received by the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based here said the villagers panicked and hastily left their homes and farmlands, leaving behind their belongings and farm animals.

According to a report received by DSWD Region 13 Director Mita Chuchi G. Lim, the villagers were still reeling from the trauma caused by a 2015 incident when they witnessed the massacre of fellow tribesmen in the area.

May Navidad Salinas, Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer (PSWDO) in Surigao del Sur, said no one was reported hurt in the incident.

The villagers who fled homes were from Sitio (sub-village) Kabuluhan, Mike, Han-ayan, KM. 14 and Yadawan, all of Barangay Diatagon, in Lianga town.

“They were forced to leave their respective houses and stayed in Sitio Simuwao (Km. 9) of Barangay Diatagon of that same town,” said Lim.

“The number of families (who evacuated) is still to be determined since the Lianga Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) is still in the process of validating the total number of families displaced,” the region’s DSWD chief told The Manila Bulletin Monday.