As the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) expresses its sympathies and condolences to the families of fatalities of those killed in the latest floodings in the Davao region, the farmers group said the Duterte family will have to answer to the disastrous effects of these calamities that killed 21 people, injured scores and displaced thousands across Davao and Caraga regions in Mindanao.
Across Davao and Caraga regions, more than 270,000 people have been affected by the severe weather since January, with Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro provinces as among the worst affected areas. More than 26,000 people in Caraga and nearly 9,000 people in the Davao region have been displaced. In Davao City alone, where Baste Duterte is the City Mayor, more than 8,000 people were affected by the flooding caused by non-stop rains from the trough of the low-pressure area (LPA).
Based on the latest data from provincial DRRMOs in Davao, the flooding led to fatalities in Davao de Oro towns of New Bataan, Marasugan, Pantukan, Monkayo, and Maco. In Davao del Norte where a state of calamity is now declared, several died in Kapalong, Santo Tomas, and Asuncion towns. The constant rains and flooding since last month contributed to the soil erosion that triggered landslides. The massive floods also swept away houses, crops, and infrastructure. Some P289 million worth of agriculture crops were damaged due to the floods, according to the local Department of Agriculture.
Last night, 3 buses transporting APEX Mining workers were buried in a rain-induced landslide in Masara in Maco, Davao de Oro. Several individuals were reportedly buried in the massive landslide and based on the latest news reports, at least 11 miners were injured. APEX Mining is owned by tycoon-crony Enrique Razon Jr, a known ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to KMP, decades of the “demonic Duterte dynasty” in the Davao region led to the severe environmental destruction of the entire region which is a strategic part of Mindanao. “Decades of logging, mining, and plantation operations across Davao region contributed to the destruction of the environment and vulnerability of the population to natural and man-made disasters,” KMP noted that from 2018 to 2021, former president Rodrigo Duterte approved hundreds of Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) and FTAAs in the country’s mining sector covering almost 100,000 hectares. As of 2023, there were 311 approved MPSAs and FTAAs, with 1,496 pending mining applications.
“Ang pamilyang Duterte at ang kanilang dinastiya ang pinakamasamang unos at kalamidad na dumating sa rehiyon ng Davao at sa buong Mindanao. Dapat na singilin ng mamamayan ang mga Duterte sa kanilang mga kasalanan at kapabayaan na nagwasak sa kalikasan,” according to KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos.
The people must demand accountability from the Dutertes and even the Marcos Jr administration for these catastrophes. ###
