A LUMAD (indigenous people) group in Northern Mindanao is set to launch a protest on the looming extension of martial law on the island.
The Kalumbay regional Lumad organization said members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), farmers and other progressive groups will take to the streets their renewed call for the lifting of martial law during the Human Rights Day on December 10.
Kalumbay chairperson Datu Jomorito Goaynon said human rights abuses and violations allegedly perpetrated by the state security forces since the Duterte administration declared martial law following the Marawi City siege are already enough.
"Sa December 10 ipahigayon nato ang lihok protesta pagkondena sa martial law ug ang padayon panawagan nga dili na kini i-extend pa (On December 10, we will hold the protest on the call not to extend it)," Goaynon said.
But, Goaynon said the group has been making rounds of consultations and forum in communities across the region which started last October to make people understand the ill-effects of the military rule.
Goaynon insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte's martial law is victimizing civilians especially the Lumads and farmers who are being tagged by the military as either members or supporters of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA).
He said several members of their group are already facing trumped-up charges particularly those who spoke against government policies.
"Wala namay ikatabang ang martial Law kundili kadaot sa malinawong pagpuyo sa mga Lumad ug mag-uuma sa kabukiran nga nakita nato maoy kasagarang bikitma sa abuso ug human rights violations sama sa red-tagging, trump up charges ug fake surrender (Martial law does not help but instead bring chaos to the peaceful lives of Lumad and farmers in the mountain areas who are mostly the victims of human rights violation like red-tagging, trump up charges, and fake surrender)," he said.
Goaynon said more civilians especially those victims of rights abuses and harassment are likely be forced to hold guns and join the armed struggle should Duterte prolongs the Martial law for another period.
"Sa atong nakita kung ma-extend ang martial law mas modaghan na hinoon ang mosaka sa bukid ug mohawid sa armas aron mosukol para panalipdan ang ilang katungod (If martial law will extend, many will go up to the mountains and carry firearms to fight back in order to protect their rights)," he added.
The Lumad group leader explained that the martial law is never the solution to end terrorism and insurgency but peace negotiations to address the root causes of social injustice.