MindaNews » Dialogue tempers rift between military, tribe.

By Bong S. Sarmiento
March 24, 2012

KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/23 March)—A brewing rift between the military and a tribal community in the coal-rich town of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato was averted after the parties patched things up in a dialogue here Thursday.

Present during the dialogue were representatives of the Commission on Human Rights, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, 27th Infantry Battalion, the religious-run Hessed Foundation and Taboli Manubo S’daf Claimants Organization (Tamasco).

Sister Susan O. Bolanio, who represents Hessed, said they are happy with the results of the dialogue, which came due to the fear of Tamasco members of military harassments.

Tamasco is a tribal community in Sitio Datal Bonlangon in Barangay Ned, which is one of the beneficiaries of Hessed’s social works.

“They can now return to farming [in their community]. It’s a fruitful dialogue,” the nun told reporters.

Bolanio said the group’s leader, Datu Victor Danyan left the community in fear of soldiers from the 27th IB who was looking for him and that he would be a “wanted person” if he would not surface.

The soldiers also fired a shot in the community during the incident last February 3 that sowed fear among the tribal members.

Lt. Col. Alexis Bravo, 27th IB commanding officer, admitted what happened but said the incident was a result of “miscommunication and misinterpretation.”

Read full article @ http://www.mindanews.com/human-rights/indigenous-peoples/2012/03/24/dialogue-tempers-rift-between-military-tribe/