The Fugitive of Talaingod

DT: How much longer, Datu, do you think, can you live such life?

DG: My name has been on the list for more than 10 years. Enduring long walks for me is no longer that easy but life for us Lumads has always been an endless struggle because of the presence of intruders who threaten to take away our land from us.

DT: Has there been anyone who asked you to surrender?

DG: There have been many.

DT: What did they offer?

DG: They offered me a good life.

DT: Why didn’t you take the offer to get yourself out of the harsh life you are living now? Besides you are growing older.

DG: If I surrender, the suffering of my people in Salugpungan will multiply. Those projects, which we managed to push away, will come back. I learned a lesson from Tata Gawilan of Bukidnon who surrendered — and look what happened? He got all the benefits by himself but the rest of his tribesmen are still as wretched as ever. I’d rather die than surrender. If I surrender, what purpose is there left of me? What will I gain? Will it bring something good to the descendants of Salugpungan?

DT: We have heard stories from the military, datu, that you appear dauntless because you are supported by the NPA.

DG: There were no NPAs when I stood for our ancestral land. The first time I ever had a glimpse of them was not until three years after, when they passed by our sitio. It was not the NPAs who prodded me to stand up for our land. We, Lumads, made this stand ourselves. Those who said that only meant to destroy our group, since they know they can never destroy the tribes of Salugpungan. It is our united stand to defend our land that gave me courage to stand up to the enemy like this. Had we not shown bravery, we would have lost our lands long ago, and become mere peons, just like what happened to other tribes in many other areas.

DT: Supposed they succeed in getting Datu Guibang Apoga — can the Salugpungan still stand on its feet?

DG: Our people will continue the fight. They will continue to protect our land and to stand up for their rights. I’ve seen and heard how our young ones have spoken. My son had sworn to continue the fight, just in case the enemy takes me away. But it could also be anyone from among our young, to continue what we’ve started.

DT: As you said, Datu, you have always been in hiding since. We wonder how you are still able to perform your functions as leader of your tribe?

DG: There’s always a way to communicate with the people, to talk to them, help solve practical problems, settle disputes, make sure that our laws are observed and not violated, our unities implemented, and improve ways on how we could manage our livelihood and resources better. We always make sure to inculcate in our people the importance of our basic principles of standing up in defense of our land, and our aspiration for respect for rights as a people and our right to self-determination.