Katribu head hits harassment

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

(Below is a letter of Beverly Litdog Longid, KATRIBU Indigenous People’s Partylist national president sent to Yours Truly about harassment by suspected government agents. We print it en toto) 

On 25 February 2014, I received a sketchy text message from colleagues, friends and relatives in Ifugao informing me that they saw posters in Banaue and Lagawe, Ifugao bearing my name, photograph and that of others, and labelled as NPA (New People’s Army). My first reaction was to ask – what picture? Maayos ba ang picture ko? What posters? What does it say? Who posted it?

The following day, our office received a copy of the said poster from our partner IRDC (Ifugao Resource and Development Center). colored, long-bond paper size, and indeed bearing my photograph, name and below it KATRIBU together with the names and photographs of Jude Baggo of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), Emerson Soriano of the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (CPA), Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casino of Bayan Muna Partylist, Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Partylist and Riza Hontiveros. It was captioned “Rupa ken Nagan dagiti NPA nga Agsusuweldo” (Faces and names of NPA receiving salaries).

What gives? I find no other reason behind this latest attack but to intimidate me, veer the public and myself from my advocacy for indigenous peoples’ rights and human rights. It is but a vain attempt to instill in the minds of others that being critical of government programs and policies is wrong, that joining concerted actions is an act of terrorism.

What terror do we wreak when we demand government for delivery of social services, bureaucratic reforms for good governance and genuine public service, for the protection of the environment and food security against destructive mines and energy projects?

Who gives? I find no other culprit but State agents. Sino pa nga ba? They have the capacity, resources, and had done similar acts in the past. Silaang may paniniwala na masama ang pagiging aktibista. Like many activists, human rights defenders and development workers, this is not the first time that State agents vilified my name and political affiliation.

 I have had my picture drawn with horns and fangs in Abra, members of the army publicly announced my name as NPA in Mankayan, persecuted in an open letter in Mountain Province and many times accused as a terrorist and an NPA. I have also been subjected to surveillance and threats to my person.

I can always take such accusations and persecution in stride and probably others too – knowing there is no truth in it. However, many might believe and take action on it. The political regime has changed to PNoy who from day one has falsely pronounced respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, of peace and development. However, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, threats, harassment and intimidation, trump-up charges, and other human rights violations against activists, human rights defenders or those critical of government continue unabated.

I challenge the so-called Ifugao People’s Council (granting that it really exists) to come out in the open and not to hide behind such stealth and anonymity. Show us your faces and names. Show us what you have done for the betterment of our brothers and sisters Ifugao.

Let us discuss and even debate on the current situation and issues of the Cordillera and country, our nationalist alternatives and achievements, and of the people’s aspiration for a better and secure life. Let us even talk about the revolution. What drives the sons and daughters of the Cordillera to join the New People’s Army (NPA)? Why does the national democratic revolution persist and strengthen despite pronouncements after pronouncements of government that it has crushed the CPP-NPA-NDFP?

The KATRIBU is a legitimate formation working for the rights, welfare and interests of indigenous peoples not only in the Cordillera but also in different communities in the country. We shall continue with our vision, mission and goals, and no form of vilification, threat, harassment and intimidation shall stop us.

Beverly Litdog Longid

KATRIBU Indigenous People’s Partylist

National President

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Our condolences to the families of former Mt. Province Education supervisor Ignacio S. Daoas, also a former mayor of Sagada, Mountain Province and former Mountain Province congresswoman Josephine C. Dominguez, both of whom   recently passed away. Daoas was buried in his hometown Sagada.

Meanwhile, Dominguez was laid to rest at the compound of their house at Military Cut-off in Baguio City where her husband, the late Mt. Province congressman Victor Dominguez was buried.