FOLLOWING THE supposed endorsement of the Sanggunian and the support of the Ignatian Initiative for Transformative Empowerment (IgnITE) Movement for the Lakbayan, IgnITE President Ele Gealogo has clarified that there was “no formal partnership” with the organizers and that the donation drive was a response to IgnITE’s personal contacts asking for humanitarian aid.

The “Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya 2016” delegates included Lumad, Moro, Igorot, Aeta, Mangyan and Agta groups who protested against the military and mining operations in their ancestral lands.

The drive was organized by Sandugo: Kilusan ng mga Moro at Katutubong Mamamayan para sa Sariling Pagpapasya (Moro and Indigenous Peoples’ Movement for Self-determination). University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD) hosted the delegates from October 12 to 28.

On October 21, 3 AB Political Science Course Representative and Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy (USAD) Ateneo de Manila member Benjamin Alvero III expressed his apprehensions after IgnITE’s promotional campaign for the donation drive was shared through Sanggu Promote. Alvero explained that the organizers of Lakbayan are affiliated with those from the “far left.” His post has since been retracted.

Clarifications

In an interview with The GUIDON, Alvero clarified that he spoke on his own behalf and his statement did not represent the Party’s interests and position. He added that the Party recognizes the agency of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and does not view them as “mere instruments,” contrary to how his previous post appeared.

“Our stand on the issue remains the same as what we have stated in our most recent stand–the stand on violence,” Alvero said. USAD released a stand after the violent dispersal of protesters by the Philippine National Police at the United States Embassy.

“We reject instrumentalism, we reject violence, but nevertheless, we support the initiatives of these people to fight for their communities. We are with the people who are in the margins, who are subject to conditions of inequality,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gealogo said that he understood the contentions on their initiative. However, they did not turn down the request for assistance since IgnITE was supporting the IPs, not the organizers themselves. As evidence, he said that the donations were in the form of school materials, clothes, and food supplies.

Additionally, he said that the result of the donation drive was “all in all, a good thing.” The donations from the LS student body were relatively good such that they made two to three trips to UPD.

Case of misunderstanding

Coalition of Ateneans for Indigenous Peoples (CAIP) Head Dane Ancheta said that she had to speak out and clear CAIP’s name because the exchange in social media seemed as if they officially endorsed IgnITE’s donation drive.

CAIP is the unit of the Sanggunian that caters to IP concerns. Ancheta said that the Coalition was formed because they wanted to provide students “another avenue to be proactive in issues of the IPs all year long.”

While she supported Gealogo’s claims that they communicated days before the issue erupted, she said that it was not exactly a consultation. Rather, she thought that IgnITE was just letting her know about their initiative.

“[IgnITE] told me that they were going to have a donation drive. The Coalition gave an advice: ‘If you have to donate anything, just donate food and other materials. If you want to donate, it’s your Party’s initiative,’” she said.

“We didn’t give a go signal because it’s out of our bounds; all we can give are our pieces of advice. They were making it seem like we gave the approval, we gave the go signal. I felt like CAIP’s name was being thrown around,” she added.

Nonetheless, Ancheta said that she understood the humanitarian nature of IgnITE’s initiative. Similarly, she said that CAIP communicated with Ateneo de Davao University earlier this year to provide aid to victims of the Mindanao-wide drought, particularly during the controversial Kidapawan protests.

“That’s how we made our humanitarian effort without being political. It was purely humanitarian. It’s possible to do that,” she said. “In this case, perhaps IgnITE was also bringing the name of Ateneo that’s why it became a slippery slope.”

Gealogo echoed Ancheta’s sentiments. He said that he understood where the apprehensions are coming from.

“But the fact is, there were Lumads here and they were in need of help. Yes, I understand the fears of the people, but I don’t think that should have been a reason for us to shut them out,” he added.

New arrangements

Moreover, Ancheta said that CAIP has met with USAD and IgnITE to prevent issues like this in the future.

Gealogo said that they discussed what had transpired and what actions can be taken. They also tackled the “history with Lakbayan” to contextualize the reason behind Ateneo’s cautiousness with the initiative.

“One of the things that we came up with [to avoid things like this from happening again] is that the Sanggu Promote system has to be more filtered. Kumbaga, Ateneo’s name is in use and Ateneo can’t be used in any malicious way,” Gealogo said.

According to Sanggunian Communications Chairperson Cieryl Sardool, Sanggu Promote is a service that the Sanggunian provides to anyone in the Loyola Schools who wants to reach a wider audience through the Sanggunian social media platforms.

“Anything that is coursed through Sanggu Promote is not endorsed by the Sanggunian,” she said.

In line with this adjustment, Sardool noted her plans to revise parts of the current guidelines of Sanggu Promote. She also said that in future promotions, Sanggunian’s disclaimer on not endorsing the projects will be highly emphasized.

“I’ll edit the guidelines. I have to make it clear that if there are any contentions with what a certain unit promotes, then we will have to course it through them,” she said.

For the IPs

Although IgnITE does not have engagements planned with the IPs for now, Gealogo mentioned that the Party might eventually come up with programs for the IPs.

Furthermore, Gealogo added that should there be any progress with IgnITE for the IPs, the party will collaborate with CAIP and Sanggunian, particularly the Department of External Affairs.

“We’d rather have a more united front when it comes to these issues because we all really are fighting for the same thing, we’re fighting for the rights of the IPs.” Gealogo said.

Meanwhile, Ancheta expressed CAIP’s desire to go beyond just being a “reactionary group” for the IPs.

“We also try to build something from the ground that could [affect] structural changes like the IP [education bill]. We’re also into policy making because there are policies that could help and protect IPs and we recognize that.” Ancheta said.

Gealogo said that there is a need to give ample attention to the IPs similar to that which is given to the drug war and extra-judicial killings.

“Issues like this [IPs] might not be as in the spotlight but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they shouldn’t be considered. Ateneans should be aware of this because it is real and it is happening, and it doesn’t get a lot of air time, kumbaga,” he said.

Meanwhile, in relation to the IP week held in the university, Ancheta said that the celebration may seem distant from what is currently happening in the IP community.

“It’s just mainly inspired by our support for IP education, so we really put a prime on education… We want people to be exposed to IP life na hindi lang cultural or historical, but also the socio-political,” Ancheta said.