Lumads hold ritual for protection, safety

THE Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Kalumaran) staged a ritual in front of the City Hall in Davao on San Pedro Street to mark the 23rd World Day of Indigenous People, Wednesday.

At least 70 lumads from various areas in Southern Mindanao held a march protest from Brokenshire College of Davao to San Pedro Street, yesterday, to protest alleged attacks on lumad communities and schools before holding the Pamaas, in which blood from a slain chicken was smeared on their palms. The ritual is to ask the spirits for protection and safety of the lumads in their respective community.

"Gusto namo ipasibaw ang gapadayon na repression sa lumad sa Mindanao. Kung naa na’y kalapasan nahitabo, unsa na kaha na nay martial law (The lumads continue to suffer, especially with the declaration of martial law)," Kalumaran secre-

tary general Dulphing Ogan claimed.

The Kalumaran, Ogan said, is calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to look into the concerns of the indigenous people. He added that aside from attacks onto communities/schools, they also fear that the alternative schools will be closed.

Ogan also urged the government to resume peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). He said the peace talks will be a big help to address the concerns and issues of the lumads and peasants in Mindanao.