VP Sara: Traditional garb at SONA also meant to raise awareness of NPA abuse vs. IPs

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said that her Bagobo Tagabawa dress at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address on Monday was meant not only to honor one of the tribes in Mindanao but also to raise awareness on the alleged abuses of communist rebels against IPs.

Sara made the remark after the Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination (Sandugo) called her wearing of traditional garb  a mere “showmanship” amid supposed red-tagging of teachers and schools of Lumads.

“It was lobbying in the open public for the welfare of IPs who have always been the favorite darling of the NPA for their recruitment and attacks — which happen every time they register their resistance,” Sara said in a statement.

“It was to hold a space for another narrative unknown to many Filipinos and to bridge public awareness of what is horribly happening to the IPs in remote places — deceptions, recruitments, and killings are carried out without mercy by the NPAs and their supporters,” she added.

As former Davao City mayor, Sara said the city had been declared insurgency-free before she stepped down from city hall.

Sara said she would continue to wear traditional dress from IPs and groups she wants to honor and "stand in solidarity with against terrorist organizations."

“I will not waver. In fact, you will see me even more relentlessly because I have a responsibility to the Filipino people, especially to the Filipino children,” Sara said.

The Bagobo Tagabawa tribe of Davao is one of the largest groups of indigenous peoples in Southern Mindanao.

“Bukas kami sa mga gustong humiram ng aming kasuotan, pero dapat kinikilala din nila ang aming mga karapatan at laban,” Sandugo Spokesperson and former Rep. Eufemia Cullamat said.

(We are open to anyone who wants to borrow our clothing but they should also recognize our rights and plight.)

“Walang saysay at pakitang tao lamang ang pagdamit ni VP Sara sa kasuotan ng mga Lumad gayong ni-redtag niya ang mga estudyante at guro ng mga eskwelahan ng Lumad. Tinakot niya at pinalayas ang mga Lumad sa santwaryo sa Davao City,” she added. 

(VP Sara’s wearing of our clothes is senseless and mere showmanship considering how she red-tagged the students and teachers of Lumad schools. She threatened them and forced them outside their sanctuaries in Davao City.) -NB, GMA News