Rico, Princess Dianne N.

PS 185

2012-16735

Nov. 21, 2015

Manilakbayan 2015: #StopLumadKillings

Binaril po dito, sa ulo, ang ama ko. Wala naman po siyang kasalanan. Shin Campos (daughter of Dionel Campos)
Sa edad na labintatlo, napakahirap na humarap sa mga tao at isalaysay ang lahat
ng hinanakit mo. Pero sa kaso ng batang ito, hindi lang basta "hinanakit" ang
katotohanang binaril ng dalawang beses sa ulo ang kanyang ama dahil sa
paghihinala ng mga armadong lalaking sila'y miyembro ng NPA, nag-aaral sa
tulong ng NPA, at kung anu ano pa. Hindi ko napigilang maluha nang siya'y
nagsimulang humikbi habang nagsasalita. Wala akong ibang maialay kundi ang
aking suporta. Sana makamit nila ang hustisya, at ng lahat ng mga taong patuloy
na naaapi.
Count my rage in, Stop Lumad Killings!
The aforementioned statement was my status update on Facebook the very first time I
saw Shin Campos and two other Lumad who happened to give a short discussion about their
struggle and fight against violence and human rights violations during our class in the afternoon
of September 9. I could clearly see on her face the wrath covering her innocence. Before and
during that time, I knew as if on cue what side I should take even without taking time to read
some biased news articles like those of Prof. Winnie Monsod.
I am also a daughter. If I were on her shoe, I dont think I could move on and find a new
lease for life. I would definitely demand justice, just like what Shin does.
October 26, 2015, I joined the Salubong held by UP Manila students, organizations and
some faculty members to welcome the Lumad people who travelled all the way from Mindanao.
They are very strong people calling for justice, I must say. They went to Liwasang Bonifacio and
then marched until they reached Mendiola. They first stayed in UP Diliman and conducted
different cultural activities there. I also read this post saying Lumad children were being taught
to play basketball by the UP Basketball team.
I also managed to visit them at Liwasang Bonifacio last week to listen to their call. I
discovered that many of them are so creative as they make different styles of accessories
bracelets, earrings, etc. I recognized also that most of them are disciplined as I saw different
reminders posted on different areas and trashcans. I found them jolly as most of them smiled at
me and even made jokes just to entertain us.
Their struggle is also our struggle. Not only the armed forces alone should be held
responsible, but also the system of governing of this entire country, the way how the power
holders see potential developments of the Philippines which are in fact profit-oriented benefitting
only the few but not the citizens including the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. Count my
rage in, Stop Lumad Killings!