7 #KwentongBABAYEnihan in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
BABAYEnihan against COVID-19 has reached Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
Today, for over a month now, more than 430 families of Teduray and Lambangian are living in different parts of Barangay Kalamungog, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat mostly in makeshift huts. They came from Sitio Kiatong, and were forced to flee their homes and communities.
According to the report of Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG), on March 25, 2020, a Moro armed group headed by a certain Commander Double M, and suspected to be a lost command group, entered their community and started to harass the barangay officials and health workers in Sitio Kiatong, who were implementing the COVID 19 lockdown measures. After a while, there were exchanges of fire between the AFP and the lost command group. Commander Double M and his men reportedly entered the houses and looted them - televisions, cellphones. Even live animals were taken. The armed men threatened to burn their houses if the indigenous peoples were not to leave their homes. So they all fled.
The DSWD was able to distribute last March 28 5 kilos of rice per family, when they were at the school grounds in another sitio. However, since then, the families were asked to move from one place to another as the LGU wanted to observe Enhanced Community Quarantine. And where they went, the armed groups followed, forcing them to move further. This has caused the families to disperse in different areas - some are staying in municipal gym, some in the school grounds, some seeking refuge in other communities.
The moving around, and with the families being scattered in different places have made it more difficult for the families to access any support that the government may have. BABAYEnihan, through TJG and Inged Fintaylan, with its modest resources, was able to provide needed hygiene kits for 150 women and their families.
LILAK and Inged Fintaylan thank you for your support and solidarity. We feel the love!
We will continue to share with you stories and photos when available of how your support has reached our indigenous women partners and their families.
