We Condemn the Killings!
In recent years governments have encouraged foreign investment in mineral rich countries in the framework of free trade agreements in order to exploit natural commons, converted into resources and commodities in the capitalist logic. The extractive industry of endless accumulation and accelerated irrational exploitation of nature brings a new form of appropriation of land
Recent Updates
IP Leaders in Manila to Seek Peace and Justice in Their Ancestral Domains
Quezon City – Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders from different parts of the country have gathered in Quezon Circle to kickoff their lobby tour to demand immediate legislative and executive action to address peace, justice and development issues faced by indigenous peoples communities. “Nianhi mi aron iduol sa mga hingtungdan nga ahensya sa gobyerno ilabina sa [...]
A Call for PNoy to End Violence vs Indigenous Peoples
In 2009, Presidential Order 1906 was signed declaring October as a national Indigenous Peoples (IP) month. This month, the Indigenous Peoples month, 2 people were brutally murdered – an IP leader and a committed IP rights advocate. In October 14, Datu Roy Gallego, a chieftain of the Manobo tribe in Surigao del Sur, was shot dead in an ambush. Datu Gallego was a broadcaster, and a known anti-mining tribal leader.
CEAP Statement on the Murder of Fr. Tentorio: Let Him Not Have Died in Vain
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), consisting of 1,345 member-schools nationwide, expresses its profound condolences to the PIME Congregation and to Bishop Romulo de la Cruz of the Diocese of Kidapawan on the brutal murder of Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, PIME, head of the diocesan committee on Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and staunch advocate [...]
Militia protection for mining: Against whom?
President Noynoy Aquino recently approved the military proposal to allow mining companies to form and fund militias or Special Civilian Active Auxiliary units. In just 9 days after the Surigao mining attack, the Aquino administration has immediately acted on the demand of the mining industry for protection. We now ask – protection against whom?
Protect Indigenous and Rural Communities, not Mining Companies
The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center calls on President Aquino to stop the cycle of violence in ancestral domains and rural communities by taking back his approval of the military proposal of mining firms funding and organizing their own Special CAFGU Armed Auxiliary (SCAA) units to secure their operations.
SIPA Updates
Kami, limampu’t anim (56) na kababaihang katutubo na nagmula sa dalawampu’t apat (24) na tribo sa bansa ay nagtipon para sa isang National IP Women Gathering nitong ika-23 at 24 ng Hulyo, sa Christ the King Retreat Center, Koronadal, South Cotabato, upang pagtibayin ang aming mga paninindigan at pangarap.
Nakakainsulto na nagpapalakpakan sila dun sa kongreso para sa CCT/PPPP, samantalang kami na pinakamahirap sa mahihirap, ni hindi naabutan nito. (Conditional Cash Transfer/Pangtawid Programa para sa Pamilya Pilipino) Wala man lang pagbanggit kahit isa sa mga indigenous peoples; wala man lang pagbanggit sa mga karahasan na nararanasan ng mga katutubo, lalo pa’t katutubong kababaihan.
Walang pagbanggit sa pagprotekta sa kalikasan.
“This is a peaceful community (but) tension among us (rose) after the mining community encroached (in) our village.” This were the words of Neneng Gamus, a mother of two, barangay councilor, and one of the mothers in the forefront of defending their land and life in Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte.
