Bakwits stage ‘die-in’

Evacuees encamped for over a month now at the provincial capitol grounds yesterday, July 7, staged a ‘die-in’ in front of the Capitol building to protest and condemn the provincial government’s alleged inaction on their demands.

The displaced residents of Sitio Camansi, Banglay, in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental played dead for about three minutes right after the weekly flag raising rites, Monday.

Sariza Acosta, spokesperson of the Tagtublon lumad organization, said the die-in scenario is demonstrated to show the bakwits’ desperation after having stayed at makeshift camps for more than a month already.

She said they have been doing several activities just to catch the attention of Governor Yevgeny ‘Bambi’ Emano who until now has failed to face them.

Acosta said the Higaonon families are still believing that the governor possesses the power and authority to address their pleas to pull out the military who installed detachments in their community.

Acosta added they must return home soonest because many of the children and the elderly have already been taken to the hospital for various illnesses.

“Halos kada adlaw naa mi dad-on sa hospital ma bata o tigulang kay nangasakit na tungod kay dili ni among naandan nga kahimtang(We have been taking many of the children and the elderly almost everyday to the hospital. Many are getting sick because of our situation),”Acosta said.

However, the capitol maintained that they have been attending the needs of the evacuees to ensure that they are comfortable while staying at the capitol park.

Emano has earlier said that the schedule for the dialogue has already been arranged.

But, the governor insisted and has been apologetic towards the ‘bakwits’ for being unable to meet the demands that are beyond his control and authority.