`Bambi’s too busy protecting his political career’

A LUMAD leader blasts Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano saying the reason he cannot face the Lagonglong evacuees was because he is protecting his political career and too afraid to disappoint President Rodrigo Duterte.

Sariza Acosta, the evacuees’ spokesperson, said they believe that Emano is hesitant in meeting with them because of politics.

“Kay syempre, isa man gud sa mga programa ni Duterte nahisgutan ang mga komunidad sa mga lumad, nga ipa implementar ang martial law kay naa nay terorista pero kami naman hinuon ang naapektuhan sa maong martial law (One of Duterte’s programs involved the lumad communities, that they implemented martial law because there are terrorists, but instead we are the ones targeted),” Acosta said.

“Among nasabtan nga sunud-sunoran na ang Gobernador sa unsa man ang gusto ni Duterte, nagtuo mi nga kay hapit naman election dili sya mokontra kay President Duterte kay para sya ra gyud gihapon ang mudaog sunod election, kay naa man si Duterte ning suporta sa iya (We understand that the governor is now following whatever Duterte’s order because election is near and he want Duterte’s support to win the next elections),” she added.

Acosta said this scenario is very different from what happened several years ago when they first came here too as evacuees.

“Murag mahadlok siya nga musukol or mupagawas sa tinuod nga nahitabo sa iyang katawhan nga naapektuhan tungod sa programa ni President Duterte (It seems that he is afraid to express what is the real situation of his people that are affected with the programs of President Duterte),” she said.

Acosta further said the governor then was very aggressive and quick in taking steps to solve their problem.

The displaced 38 Higaonon families from Sitio Camansi, Banglay in Lagonglong, have been staying at the Capitol grounds for a month now, joined by another 15 families from Sitio Anahaw, Bantaawan, Gingoog City who also fled their homes due to alleged militarization in their community.

Emano for his part said although he has yet to face the evacuees, he made sure that their demands and needs during their stay at the capitol are being taken care of.

Emano said he cannot met the evacuees due to a busy schedule, but that he was aware of the evacuees’ situations and they too are his priority.

“Usa lamang ako ka Gobernador sa lalawigan ug walay kapasidad sa pagpahunong sa martial law nga mando ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte. Kung aduna man makapahunong niini ang atong Presidente lamang. Aduna may mga butang nga akong magahom apan aduna sab mga butang nga dili magahom sa lokal nga kagamhanan sa probinsya kung kini ikadelikado sab sa ubang katawhan dili lamang sa probinsya apan sa pulo sa Mindanao (I am only a Governor and not a President who have the power to stop the martial law. I am not in control of all things, especially those that can possibly put other people in Misamis Oriental at risk),” he added.