Newly-built memorial dedicated to massacre victims

DIGOS CITY, June 30 (PIA) – A memorial was recently built in honor and in memory of the 39 Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe members who were massacred by the communist rebels 32 years ago in a hinterland cultural community in Sitio Rano, Barangay Binaton, this city.

 

The 32nd anniversary of the Rano massacre was remembered with the unveiling and inauguration of the Rano Memorial situated at Rimpong Tribal Village in Brgy. Binaton.

 

Director General Alex Paul Monteagudo of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) has led other national and local government officials in commemorating the tragedy and in condoling with the survivors and families of the victims.

 

Monteagudo dedicated the newly-inaugurated Rano Memorial to the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe who lost loved ones in the horrendous massacre which happened on June 25, 1989.  

 

“This memorial is part of teaching our people, especially the young, about what happened to our Bagobo-Tagabawa people in 1989… This place is a tribute to the Bagobo-Tagabawa people who have the courage to fight for their family,” he stated.

 

In a ceremony, some of the survivors and the government officials offered candles and flowers at a monument where the names of the 39 victims are imprinted. 

 

Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), who joined in the commemoration, comforted the survivors.

 

“Habang nandito kami, kasama nyo kami sa laban na ito. Aalagaan namin kayo magmula ngayon, poprotektahan at dedepensahan. At gagawin namin ang aming trabaho… Sana maghilom ang mga sugat nyo kasama naming,” Badoy assured.

 

Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas also honored the victims, stating “As we seek justice for the victims, we must also honor their deaths by strengthening our stand against terrorism, against insurgency and against criminality.”

 

Davao City artist Kublai Millan has designed the Rano memorial and the Bale Kasunayan (tribal peace hall) depicting life, renewal, and transformation of the said tribe after the painful massacre.

 

Private individuals, government offices, and the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribal community pooled in resources to build the Rano Memorial, the symbol of the people’s strong condemnation of the CPP/NPA and its terrorist acts and as a tribute to the 39 Bagobo-Tagabawa people who stood and fought for their faith, family, community, and truth.

 

Millan explained that the big dead leaf structure at the Rano memorial is to remember those who were massacred. “It looms above all and invites us to walk under it and see the cross beneath this giant dead leaf. The names are there to be known and remembered by all, and the words of anger and grief are immortalized.”

 

But toward the cultural village, a structure of a green leaf sprout symbolizes new life. Millan described the leaf bud to be forming also of the shape of a dove which symbolizes peace.

 

“It’s an invitation to all those who come over to experience the culture of the Bagobo-Tagabawa to bring peace in their hearts.”

 

The Rimpong Tribal Village also houses the Bale Kasunayan or hall of peace to provide a venue for the tribal members to gather for meetings, conflict resolutions, and cultural presentation.

Millan also designed the hall of peace. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon with reports from Frances Mae G. Macapagat)