ANOTHER child belonging to the lumad evacuees camping outside the Provincial Capitol of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon reportedly died due to similar pulmonary disease.
Two-year-old Racky Duyan met his untimely demise on Wednesday dawn, 4 a.m., while undergoing treatment at the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center in Malaybalay City.
The victim’s parents, Datu Mente and Benita Duyan of Sitio Tigbugawan, Barangay Cawayan, San Fernando, Bukidnon said their son was hospitalized since August 27 after suffering from cough and fever.
Five days ago, the two-year-old son, Charwin Amas of Datu Ekil and Kristine Amas also succumbed to lung infection, just among the prevailing health hazards that put to risk the children of Bukidnon lumads apparently displaced by the threat of unrest in their community.
According to the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao region (RMP-NMR), Racky was admitted to the hospital on the day Charwin died.
Jemboy Mandagit, chairperson of Kasilo-lumad organization, blamed paramilitary leader Alde "Butsoy" Salusad for the terror the community faces and for "causing displacement of the lumads".
Last July 31, the lumad families fled their homes after a paramilitary group attacked a tribal wedding ceremony last month that resulted to the the death of a pregnant woman identified as Makinit Gayoran.
Mandagit hit Bukidnon's Provincial Government for its neglect of the lumads camping just outside its office.
"We are here right in front of the Provincial Capitol erecting our camps to bring to the attention of Governor Zubiri our sad plight, but we have yet to hear from him any concrete plans,” Mandagit said.
“It pains us to think that it would still take two children’s lives before they will act on our situation," he added.
A medical intervention was held Thursday morning by the RMP-NMR and supported by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to address the health issues experienced by the evacuees in their makeshift tents.
The RMP-NMR said a medical mission is also set to be launched to resolve the comprehensive well-being of the displaced lumads.
“We will be needing additional medicines and food supplements, and we also hope to gather health workers to help us in the activity,” it adds.
Both of the children's remains are still at the Kampuhan and will be laid to rest later this week.