Militants warn to stage another protest

MILITANTS have warned they will stage another round of protests should the distribution of relief goods in areas badly affected by Typhoon Pablo continue to shrink and demands are left unsupplied.

In a phone interview, Carlos Trangia, leader of Barug Katawhan, said it doesn't matter if they will be facing other charges for as long as the immediate needs of the victims of Typhoon Pablo are addressed by the government.

"Kanang kaso usa na siya ka political harassment batuk sa among pagkakabos," Trangia said. Barug Katawhan is the alliance of typhoon survivors.

He said it would be better for the government, especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to continue to support the affected residents, who have lost their houses and livelihood, last December 2012 and not to file case instead.

Trangia was among the eight militant leaders who were charged by the Philippine National Police for allegedly leading the human barricade on January 15.

The others were Juland Suazo of Panalipdan, Sheena Duazo of Bayan, Grace Curso, a leader of Barug Katwahan, Mae Fe Templa of Balsa Mindanao, Bello Timdasan, Tony Salubre and Leni Camino.

"Kulang ang pagkaon, labi na bugas, nga ginahatag sa mga biktima. Ang ginahatag nila 10 kilos nga bugas ra kada bulan sa matag pamilya, kulang gyud kaayo ni," Trangia claimed. "Dapat usa ka sako matag bulan kay dili igo ang napulo ka kilo sa usa ka pamilya."

Around 1,500 residents from Montevista, Pantukan, Monkayo, New Bataan, Maco, Mabini, New Corella, Mawab, Lupon and Mati earlier set up human barricade to call for a stop to mining and illegal logging and equitable distribution of relief goods.

They demanded a speedy delivery of rice and implementation of rehabilitation efforts from government.

The group also demanded an end to the piecemeal distribution of relief goods and, instead, called for ration that will tide them over for a longer period.