Team looks into plight of 2,200 displaced Manobos and Mamanwas

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 August) –  A national support network will visit the 1,700 displaced Manobo villagers of Surigao del Sur and some 500 Mamanwas from Pantukan and Caarrasca will be held August 28 to September 1.             The National Solidarity Mission carries the theme, Pagbawi sa Kinabuhi, Pagbawi sa Yutang Kabilin (Reclaiming our Lives, Reclaiming our Ancestral Lands).

The mission, spearheaded by Task Force Surigao, a national support network for the 2,200 evacuees, will be held in Tandag, Adlay and Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

Task Force Surigao is composed of organizations and individuals concerned with the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples affected by militarization and displacements.

The  mission will be led by Reps. Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan of Gabriela Partylist and Joel Maglungsod of Anakpawis Partylist along with Marie Hilao-Enriquez of  the rights group, Karapatan.

They will be joined by individuals and cause oriented groups from Mindanao.

A press conference will be held on August 29 at around 8 o’clock in the morning at the Selades Apartelle in Mabua, Tandag, Surigao del Sur.  Relief and medical missions will be held afterwards for the Lianga and Pantukan Evacuees at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Tandag and Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. (MindaNews)