TAGUM CITY — An Ata Manobo leader from Talaingod has called on advocacy groups, political organizations, and other sectors to stop using the voices and struggles of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to advance competing agendas, saying Lumad communities should be allowed to speak for themselves and determine their own future.
In a statement issued on July 27, Datu Tongig Mansumuy-at, an Ata Manobo leader from Talaingod, Davao del Norte, and a council member of Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao Region (Kalinaw SEMR), responded to recent statements by Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women and Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region criticizing government programs and the presence of security forces in Indigenous communities.
“Ang tingog sa Lumad dili na angayang pahimuslan sa bisan kinsa (The voice of the Lumad should no longer be exploited by anyone”),” Mansumuy-at said, stressing that the concerns of Indigenous communities should not be used to advance political or ideological interests.
He said Lumad communities continue to face challenges in education, healthcare, livelihoods, ancestral domain protection, and community development, but argued that these realities should not be used to deepen conflict or divide Indigenous communities.
“Ang among mga problema isip Lumad, ang pangandoy sa edukasyon, panglawas, panginabuhian, pagpanalipod sa among yutang kabilin, ug kalamboan sa among mga komunidad, dili angay gamiton aron labaw palawmon ang panagbangi ug ipalayo kami sa kalinaw (Our struggles as Lumad—our aspirations for education, healthcare, livelihoods, protection of our ancestral domain, and the development of our communities—should never be used to deepen conflict or distance us from peace).”
Mansumuy-at, who said he previously served as a leader within the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), described his statement as rooted in personal experience. He said that while he was involved in the movement, he witnessed how the grievances of Indigenous communities were used to advance the armed struggle.
According to him, the longstanding lack of government services in remote Lumad communities became a recurring theme in political organizing, with young people being taught that armed struggle was the only path toward meaningful change.
“Gigamit nila ang tinuod nga mga kalisdanan sa among komunidad aron imatuto nga ang armadong pakigbisog lamang ang paagi aron masulbad ang among mga problema (They used the genuine hardships of our communities to teach us that armed struggle was the only way to solve our problems).”
He added that many Lumad families continue to bear the consequences of decades of armed conflict, with lives lost and opportunities diminished by violence.
“Samtang ilang gitudloan kami nga makigbisog alang sa among katungod isip mga Lumad, ilang gipugos usab kanamo ang panglantaw nga ang gobyerno usa ka hingpit nga kaaway (While they taught us to fight for our rights as Lumad, they also instilled in us the belief that the government was an absolute enemy),” he said.
Mansumuy-at said Indigenous communities today continue to welcome initiatives that respond to practical needs, including classrooms, school furniture, learning materials, and livelihood assistance. More importantly, he said, communities aspire to provide children with an education that prepares them to become responsible members of society rather than participants in armed conflict.
“Ang among pangandoy ang usa ka edukasyon nga luwas, kalidad, ug naghatag og paglaum. Edukasyon nga nagtudlo sa among mga anak nga mahimong responsable nga Lumad, dili edukasyon nga gamiton aron bahinon ang among komunidad (Our aspiration is an education that is safe, of quality, and gives hope—an education that teaches our children to become responsible Lumad, not one that is used to divide our communities).”
He also appealed to fellow Lumad to protect their identity, culture, and collective voice, saying no organization or individual should claim exclusive authority to speak on behalf of Indigenous communities.
“Ang katungod sa Lumad dili iya sa usa ka organisasyon, grupo, o personalidad. Ang among katungod naggikan sa among pagka-tawo isip mga Lumadnong katawhan niining nasud (The rights of the Lumad do not belong to any organization, group, or personality. Our rights arise from our dignity as Indigenous Peoples of this nation).”
Mansumuy-at said discussions about the future of Lumad communities should begin by listening to the people who live in them.
“Klaro ang panawagan sa Lumad sa Talaingod nga kami nanginahanglan og kalinaw, edukasyon, ug kalamboan, dili dugang nga panagbangi (The call of the Lumad in Talaingod is clear: we need peace, education, and development—not more conflict).”
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