MANILA, Oct. 25 (PNA) — Malacanang welcomes and supports calls by local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to stop the violence against Lumads in Mindanao, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.
The Palace official issued the statement during an interview over government-run Radio ng Bayan, saying he was informed that some LGUs in Metro Manila have passed resolutions regarding the situation of the indigenous people in the south.
“Nakikiisa ang ating pamahalaan sa lahat ng panawagan sa pagpigil sa karahasan laban sa ating mga kapatid na Lumad sa Mindanao. Ipinagpapatuloy ng pamahalaan ang pagtataguyod ng kaunlaran at kapayapaan sa lahat ng mga lugar na apektado upang matiyak ang patuloy na paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko ng ating mga lingkod-bayan,” said Coloma.
“Maaalalang noong nakaraang linggo, mariing kinondena ng pamahalaan ang pagpaslang kay Mayor Dario Otaza ng Loreto, Agusan del Sur, isa sa mga matibay na nagtataguyod sa prosesong pangkapayapaan at pangkaunlaran ng mga Lumad at Manobo communities,” he further said.
Coloma also stressed that the national government is using its resources to ensure peace and order in indigenous communities.
“Gusto natin na mabatid at maunawaan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng ating bansa na ang buong pamahalaan ay ginagamit ang mga resources nito para itaguyod ang katahimikan, kaayusan at kapakanan ng ating mga kapatid na katutubo o indigenous peoples o Lumad communities sa Mindanao,” he added.
Marikina City is the first LGU in Metro Manila to urge the government to stop the attacks against Lumads through Resolution No. 15-235, which was approved by the 14-member city council on Oct. 14.
Principally sponsored by Councilor Joseph Banzon, the resolution condemns the series of Lumad killings in Mindanao and the destruction of their indigenous culture.
Other LGUs which are taking action on the plight of the Lumads are Quezon City and Caloocan City. (PNA)