MANILA, Oct. 12—The government always addresses the needs of indigenous people in Mindanao, Palace reiterated on Sunday in response to reports citing the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees saying that there were more than the reported 6,000 indigenous people who were displaced and deprived of protection from the state against militias and armed groups.
“The government is continuously addressing the situation of the indigenous peoples in Mindanao, and is working tirelessly to ensure their safety and to protect them from unnecessary acts of violence,” Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said in a Radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Coloma said he has yet to read such a report from the UN but noted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are working closely to pursue the individuals and groups responsible for this incident and bring them to the bar of justice.
“We are working with all stakeholders to bring lasting peace and development to these areas affected by the conflict. The government shall continue to provide protection and uphold the welfare of those affected by this incident. ,” he added.
He said that according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) there are 200,000 indigenous people under the modified conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.
“On the humanitarian situation, we continue to provide food packs and non-food items such as malongs, as well as psychosocial counselling and child-friendly space in Tandag. We can handle the situation,” Coloma said.
“So ito po ang pagtitiyak mula kay Secretary Dinky Soliman ng DSWD na masinsing tinututukan ng DSWD ang sitwasyon diyan at tinitiyak na nakatatanggap ng sapat na kalinga ang ating mga kababayang bahagi ng mga indigenous people,” he added.
On September, thousands of Lumad fled their villages and sought refuge in Tandag City, the capital of Surigao del Sur, after three tribesmen were allegedly killed by an armed group. (PCOO/PND (ag)
