By Joann Santiago
MANILA, Nov. 24 (PNA) — President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the implementation of concrete action plans to address concerns of indigenous people (IP).
This after he had a meeting with members of the Lumad, an IP group from Mindanao, lunchtime Tuesday.
“He heard the totality of their concerns and issued directives to come up with concrete action plans to address these, both in the immediate and long-term,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
The Palace official, however, did not elaborate.
Cabinet members who were present during the meeting included Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras, Health Secretary Janette Garin and Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad, Lacierda added.
The Lumads have been on the news for several months now given the killings of their members allegedly by members of government military and the New People’s Army (NPA).
They have held several protest rallies in Manila to denounce the attacks and killings of their members. (PNA)