LUMAD EVACUEES SET TO RETURN HOME

A year after the Lumads were forced to evacuate because of the killings of three of their leaders by alleged paramilitary group, over 2000 Lumads from Han-ayan and villages from Lianga, San Agustin, San Miguel, Marihatag and Tago who have been staying at the Provincial Sports complex in Tandag City for a year now are set to return home on Sept. 3.

On September 2, 402nd Infantry Brigade Commandrr Col. Isidro Purisima ordered his troops to dismantle their camp in Han-ayan and km. 9 of Diatagon.

The pullout of the military camps in the area is to heed the request of the Lumads as part of the peace process being pursued by the Duterte administration.

At around 2pm, about 30 elements of the 75th Infantry Brigade who camped in Han-ayan left and another group 30 soldiers left Km. 9 at 3 pm.

A short program took place outside Han-ayan Primary School and the school compound of Alcadev, Lianga Mayor Honer Pedroso accepted the turnover of the Lumad villages in Han-ayan.

During the program Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary Gen. Renati Reyed said the military pullout would create a more positive atmosphere and confidence for the current peace negotiations between the Philippine government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

The rest of the evacuees who are still at the Provincial Sports Complex will return home after all the soldiers have left.