MANILA, Philippines – Lumad protesters and activists held a rally amid the killings in their community in front of Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, September 8.
The demonstration comes after the killing of 19-year-old Grade 6 student Obillo Bay-ao in Talaingod town in Davao del Norte. (READ: TIMELINE: Attacks on the Lumad of Mindanao)
According to minority group alliance Sandugo, Bay-ao was killed by a member of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) which is under the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (READ: What the Lumad are fighting for)
The Lumad also marched to condemn martial law in Mindanao which complicated their situation due to increased militarization in the area.
"Duterte even promotes these attacks through the blessing of his 'flatten the hills campaign' donned in his ambitious war on drugs," Save Our Schools Network Mindanao (SOS) spokesperson Rius Valle said.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier threatened to bomb Lumad schools, alleging that they taught students to be subversives and communists. The military clarified, however, that Duterte was "just communicating a tough stance."
Here some of the photos of the rally:
– Rappler.com