For over two weeks now, residents from the hinterlands of Lianga town in Surigao del Sur have yet to return home. There are at least 2,000 villagers have sought refuge in town San Agustin and Lianga town propers.

Take note, around 2,000 were displaced. It’s a big number. But I’m wondering that it’s not a big deal. Unlike if it’d happen in Central Mindanao, that number really matters. Media would surely flock. But maybe, some media institutions are ignoring Surigao del Sur because the government forces have not engaged into major gunbattle with the New Peoples Army guerillas. There’s not much happening. There’s no blood.

If the war happened in Central Mindanao and the evacuees reached the same figures, I’m sure the vultures would feast.

Since the military launched the offensive, I’ve never heard or read on newspapers that there was a single encounter. Only displacement. In press briefing yesterday in Davao City, some residents from the Lianga urged the government to stop the military operations because they wanted to be home for Christmas.

Although the military has urged the residents to return home, they refused to do so because they are afraid of the presence of the soldiers. Human rights group Karapatan reported several cases of human rights violations since the military arrived in the area.

On December 10, it’s the Human Righst day. So (when) will the government listed to the appeal of the Surigao folks?

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