Manilakbayan continues

THE MONTH-long Manilakbayan march protest being staged by over 700 Lumads, farmers, and human rights defenders in Mindanao has continued after it was delayed by Typhoon Lando.

The marchers arrived in Tacloban City yesterday wherein a “salubungan” was held to show solidarity with members of People’s Surge, a people’s organization from Tacloban formed in the aftermath of Yolanda led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Eastern Visayas.

Manilakbayan is raising the issue of militarization in Mindanao all over the country and marchers are expected to conclude their march protest in

Malacanang.

The group’s target is to reach the National Capital Region to bring the issues of militarization in lumad communities in Mindanao.

Jhong Monzon, spokesperson for Pasaka Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao, said the people of Mindanao have not benefited from the claims of peace and development flaunted by the counterinsurgency program dubbed as Oplan Bayanihan of the Aquino administration.

“Aquino’s lies can be proven by the accounts of the victims and their families, who are committed to shout out the atrocities of the military against indigenous people’s. Now more than ever the people are brave to condemn the Aquino administration, which has systematically attacked the united efforts of Mindanaons in defense of their ancestral lands and human rights,” he added.

The Lumad leaders led a ritual to seek guidance and protection for the month-long journey to Manila. CCC