Church-based groups on Monday called for a military withdrawal from a community of indigenous peoples in Surigao del Sur to allay the fears of some 1,800 civilians who moved out of the area after the arrival of the military for supposed implementation of development projects.

The Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP) and Ecumenical Mission for Peace and Development (EMPD) said a total of 1,795 residents from 15 communities mostly in Barangay Diatagon in Lianga and San Agustin town, Surigao del Sur are currently staying in tents at the Diocese Pastoral Center in Tandag, Surigao del Sur since June.

Indigenous peoples (IPs) living in the area, known as lumad, have asked for the immediate pullout of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army from their communities to allow the residents to go back to their homes.

EMJP deputy secretary-general Girlie Padilla said the civilians moved out of their communities last June 18 and July 18 after the deployment of elements of the 58th Infantry Battalion led by Col. Benjamin Pedralvez Jr. supposedly to implement the national government’s development projects.

“The deployment of military troops in Lianga and San Agustin has disrupted the lives and livelihood of the Lumad. Worse, the soldiers have targeted the existing non-formal schools in the area and have caused the suspension of classes in tribal schools,” EMJP deputy secretary general Girlie Padilla said.

“They expressed fear for their lives with the continued presence of soldiers who forcibly stayed at civilian homes,” she added.

Padilla said the people also complained about the food blockade imposed by the military, citing that the military banned the entry of more than five kilos of rice into the communities.

“They buy rice and other food items in bulk because their villages are far from the market and transportation cost is high. Five kilos last only a few days. They can’t expect the villagers to go to market everyday,” she said.

Padilla added that the people were also protesting the recruitment of Lumad into the Task Force Gantangan, a military-led civilian armed group, which they said was meant to destroy the unity of the tribal peoples.

“If it’s true that they are there to implement development projects then they should leave this task to the local government,” Padilla said, citing a Lumad leader’s statement who refused the military’s help in their community.

She also pointed out that for the past two weeks, the schooling of some 500 students was affected by the military operations.

The evacuated areas are the site for six schools of the Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur, which provides the equivalent of elementary education in formal schools.

Padilla noted that in 2005 and 2007, the same communities left to escape alleged military atrocities.

“During such time, one Lumad, Jesse Bacasmas was shot dead as he was preparing to board the evacuation truck, and several others were tortured. Children were forced as guides in military operations, and one was even threatened and made to dig his grave. Four others were abducted and remain missing,” Padilla claimed.