Local conflicts continue to displace poor populations of Lumads, Bangsamoro and Migrant Settlers in Barangay Kalamongog, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat Province. This is amidst increasing spread of COVID-19 infections in the country and even in some areas in Mindanao closer to this locality.

According to one of the interviewed local officials, around 7:00 o’clock in the evening of March 17, 2020, the chieftain of said barangay, Barangay Captain Hairudin Tato Gubel (a Maguindanaon) was shot dead by unidentified gunman while drinking coffee together two other barangay officials. Investigation about this incident is ongoing. And by rule of succession, the First Kagawad Nolasco Zamora Ado (an Indigenous People) assumed the leadership as Officer In-Charge of the said barangay.

While the pandemic Covid-19 Enhanced Community Quarantine was implemented in this barangay, another incident of shooting happened on March 25, 2020. According to the Police Report released by Acting Police Chief, Police Major Rodney Villar Binoy:

“ That at about 8’o’clock in the morning of March 25, 2020, Brgy. Chairman of Kalamongog Nolasco Zamora Ado together with his Barangay Kagawad Celia Paguito and Tanod Romeo Rico, Danilo Galapin, and Jimboy Ado conducted Enhanced Community Quarantine Pre-emptive Lockdown Control Point at Purok Ilang-ilang, Sitio Kiatong of said barangay when a group of armed men led by Ustadz Mamacol Gubel, brother of late Barangay Chairman Hairon Tato Gubel surreptitiously shot them from behind to harass said barangay in relation to the death of the latter. The group of Brgy. Chairman Ado withdrew and escaped to the Brgy. Hall of said Brgy. and luckily, there was no casualties/injuries and damages incurred. Because of this incident, residents of far-flung Sitios and Puroks of said barangay more or less 70 families evacuated their homes and went to the Barangay Hall for their safety that the situation may worsen. As of the moment, said evacuees are now house at Kalamongog Elementary School with a team from the Philippine Army and PNP providing security in the area. “

According to Lebak Police Station further investigation on these series of incidents is ongoing.

The Municipal Social Welfare Department listed 73 families inside this school evacuation center and initially accounted 55 more other families mostly IP families who are staying outside of this evacuation center. Other home-based IDPs are not yet included in this record. Segregated data of the IDPs and affected families remains inaccessible as of writing but will continually be worked through the barangay LGU.

TRIPOD-Lebak Office reported that outside EC evacuees are staying in temporarily makeshift shanties under coconut tress and along the road where they think safer for them to stay. However, “safer” as they thought it would be when another unfortunately harassment again took place in the evening of Black Friday, April 10, 2020.

With the present challenges of social distancing and other community quarantine protocols, accessing of basic needs such as food, water, medicines, lamps, plastic tents among other basic needs is of utmost concern and problem of the IDPs at the moment. They also lack hygiene materials and supplies for protection against the coronavirus infection. On top of this are the continuing threats for their security and safety especially those who are in makeshift shanties without electricity. They said their Local Government has already extended initial help.

TRIPOD Center in Lebak has been coordinating with different government agencies especially the barangay local government officials, MSWD and Police Station in Lebak Municipality as well as with tribal leaders and partners women and farmers associations in the area.

Our appeal to the government is to ensure the security and protection of civilians especially the IDPs and their affected families against future harassments and to ensure their permanent safety and protection while on evacuation and once they can safely return to their respective houses.

We also appeal for the Local Government Units of Lebak Municipality and Barangay Kalamongog to ensure that IDPs’ basic needs are addressed such as food, water, medicines, proper lighting, plastic sheets, hygiene and protective materials against covid-19.

Knowing that these needs are great and continuing, we also appeal to our network members, partner’s organizations and other humanitarian agencies, friends and the public for support in order to help address the abovementioned needs – be it cash assistance, in kind materials, and/or initiatives for peace building or any future plans that you can possibly extend to the people in need in this barangay.

Tri-People’s Organization against Disasters (TRIPOD)

For direct contacts, see the Facebook link.

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