Ngobes march on to Panama

SANTIAGO. Five days into their march and still the Ngobe-Bugle people walking to the capital to protest their land and human rights have not heard a word from the government.

Nor have they received any type of assistance, medical help, or support, Cesar Salazar, president of the regional Nokribo congress, said.

Yesterday, together with their 50,000 signature petition calling for hydroelectric concessions in Chiriqui, Veraguas and the Ngobe-Bugle comarca to be cancelled, the 55 marchers set out from Santiago on the next leg of their journey to Panama. They aim to collect marchers to swell their numbers before arriving in Panama in early Oct.