Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Indigenous peoples to back Arroyo 'til death: chieftain
MINDANAO Tribal chieftain Joel Unad Tuesday said the lumads (indigenous peoples) in the region still support the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In a press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Datu Unad said 80 percent of almost 7 million voting population of lumads in Mindanao will forever be loyal to the President.
Unad, an Ata-Manobo, said it was the Arroyo Administration that has given them extensive help in terms of livelihood and infrastructure projects.
Unad, thus, expressed apprehensions that pending farm-to-market road constructions will be delayed if Arroyo will be ousted as president.
Unad said it is only in the administration of President Arroyo that the lumads were given chance to participate in various programs including the peace and order program where several lumads were given the chance to become policemen.
Unad said they are conducting signature campaign in other areas of Mindanao in support of the president.
Unad said they are against any extra-Constitutional way of ousting the President.
"Hantod kamatayon ang support namo sa Presidente. Tinuhuan sa mga lumad nga kung kinsa ang among gipili nga leader, hantod kamatayon ang suporta namo sa iyaha (Our support to the President is forever. It's the belief of the lumads that whoever we choose as leader will have our people's support forver)," Unad said denying that there are political leaders behind them. (AAG)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (July 13, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
