1,125 Lumad evacuees in Surigao return home

BUTUAN CITY- Some 1,125 Lumad evacuees from six villages in Marhatag, Surigao del Sur have returned home after fleeing their homes two weeks ago because of fighting between the military and the rebels. Marimar Pagaran, Secretary of Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel told GMANews.TV in an interview on Thursday that the Lumads have returned home after the government provided them with food and transportation. Lumad is a general term used to refer to the indigenous peoples of the southern Philippines. The word is short for "katawhang lumad" which literally means "indigenous peoples." The evacuees in Surigao earlier claimed that they will not return home unless intensified military operations will be stopped as they feared they could be caught in the crossfire. 401st IB Philippine Army commanding officer Col Augusto Tolentino the other day claimed he ordered total pull out of all troops in the area to pave way for the return of the evacuees. In an interview, Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Julieto Dieray confirmed to GMANews.TV that all the evacuees have left at Marihatag Municipal Gym where they took temporary shelter since August 29. Last year in nearby Lianga town also of the province of Surigao del Sur, some 2,995 evacuees fled their homes due military-New People's Army skirmishes in their hinterland areas. The evacuees built tents at the Diocese of Tandag compound in Tandag City and stayed there for nearly one month until they finally returned home. –VVP, GMANews.TV