A LUMAD leader in Northern Mindanao has cried foul over the proliferation of posters and tarpaulins hanged in public places and materials spread on the internet tagging him as supporter of terrorists and recruiter of the New Peoples Army (NPA).
Datu Jomorito Goaynon, chairman of Kalumbay regional lumad organization, said he has been seeing printed materials posted and hanged near the Central Mindanao University (CMU), bus terminals and other communities in Bukidnon which are meant to discredit his image as a lumad leader.
He said the tarpaulins and posters have his face on it with words that says he has been recruiting lumads to become members of the NPA.
Goaynon is suspecting the government's security forces for spreading what he claimed as black propaganda.
"Kanang gihimo nga pagbitay sa mga posters nga naa akong nawong ug bisan gisabwag diha sa internet nga ako usa ka komunista og supporter sa terorista usa ka pagpangdaot sa akong pagkatao isip usa ka tribal datu (The hanging of posters with my face on them as well as news spread over the internet accusing me as communist and supporter of terrorists are acts besmirching my reputation as a tribal chief)," Goaynon said.
"Ako nagduda nga pagkabig kini sa public support nga ingnon usa ko member, recruiter sa NPA aron ma-justify nila unya kung ila kong kasuhan o di ba kaha patyon (I have a suspicion that this is to gain public hate that I am a member and recruiter of the NPA so that they can justify if they will file a case against me or even kill me)," he added.
Goaynon said he was one of the victims of trumped-up charges few years ago but were dismissed.
"Kini usab aron iparalisa ug dili na katabang ang Kalumbay sa mga lumad ug aron kahadlokan nami sa mga tawo (This is to paralyze the Kalumbay to help the tribe and so that people will be afraid of us)," he added.
Goaynon said he is set to report this to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and even to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
He added this is one of the faces of Martial Law in Mindanao.
"Naa pay uban leaders nga ilang dagway naa sa social media nga giingong NPA members and supporters. Kini usa ka paglapas sa tawhanong katungod (We have leaders whose faces were uploaded in social media and were accused of being members and supporters of the NPA. This is a violation of human rights)," Goaynon said.