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International networks to visit defiant farming communities in Bukidnon

ICHRP Secretariat
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International networks to visit defiant farming communities in Bukidnon

International participants gather today to start the three-day long solidarity visit to the Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus (BTL) communities in Maramag, Bukidnon to express their support for the communities’ assertion of their rights.

The 24 participants, mostly coming from the United States of America, haven chosen the BTL area among other opened communities throughout the Philippines for their short exposure as part of the International Conference for People’s Rights in the Philippines (ICPRP).

Holding its first conference in July 2013, the ICPRP takes its unity from the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Peoples, which, among others, asserted the right of the oppressed peoples of the world to fight for their liberation.

“We warmly welcome the participants who are here to gain deeper insights on peoples’ rights, which strongly anchor on the right to self determination,” said Vennel Francis Chenfoo, secretary general of Panalipdan Youth (PY) Mindanao and head of the Task Force International Solidarity Mission (TF-ISM). “Contrary to the common understanding of rights, this self determination is not only applicable to indigenous communities. We are all entitled to develop – as an individual and more importantly as a community. The BTL farmers’ defense of their land is their expression of this right.”

For BTL, the visit to their area is timely as they are about to launch anew their campaign after they lost their case in the Ombudsman.

The BTL is composed of roughly 800 farming families that have been asserting their occupation of some 400 hectares in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon. The area had previously been part of the land granted by then-president Carlos Garcia to the Central Mindanao University (CMU).

The land was later on subjected to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and was distributed among farmers who had developed the land under a failed rice program of the university. CMU challenged this decision and until now has kept on trying to install university guards in the area to stop the residents from farming. CMU insisted the land would be used for research and educational purposes. However, the university has leased a large part of its areas to agricultural plantations such as Davao Agricultural Ventures, and the Bukidnon Resources Company, Inc.

In their struggle, a number of their leaders have been killed over the years. However, the organizations stood firm and continued to launch several actions including a camp-out in front of the university’s main gate, which lasted for almost a month in June 2011. They also set up a system of collective tilling that allowed them to work on the land amidst the attacks of the university guards.

Dubbed as ‘Pakigbisog’, the international solidarity mission to BTL is arranged by the REAP Mindanao Network, Kasama Bukidnon, Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, Anakbayan-Northern Mindanao and PY Mindanao.

Participants will later proceed to Davao City for the ICPRP.

For reference:
Vennel Francis Chenfoo
Head, Task Force ISM
Mobile number: 0927-235-9204
E-mail: panalipdanyouthnmr@gmail.com

Sr. Ma. Famita N. Somogod, MSM
REAP Mindanao Network
Telephone: +63 (63) 223 5179
E-mail: info@rmp-nmr.org

 

RURAL MISSIONARIES OF THE PHILIPPINES-Northern Mindanao Sub-Region (RMP-NMR), Inc
Room 01, Kalinaw Lanao Center for Interfaith Resources
0016 Bougainvilla Puti, Villaverde
9200 Iligan City, Philippines
T/F: +63 (63) 223 5179
E: info@rmp-nmr.org
S: rural.missionaries
W: www.rmp-nmr.org

Duterte challenged: End rights violations in the Philippines

ICHRP Secretariat
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Duterte challenged: End rights violations in the Philippines
Source: davaotoday.com file photo by Ace R. Morandante
Source: davaotoday.com file photo by Ace R. Morandante

As candidates concede to presidential frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) today joins the Filipino people in calling on the next chief executive to end rights violations and give justice to victims (of all such violations) in the Philippines.


Duterte captured the support of the Filipino electorate clamoring for change –- a clear repudiation of the Aquino government’s failure to bring about real development for the impoverished people.


“We have seen this overwhelming support take shape in the lively campaigns organized by different migrant groups in our respective countries, in spite of the criticisms against him for his alleged responsibility for the Davao “death squads” and summary executions of alleged criminals”, Rev’d Canon Barry Naylor, Chairperson of the Global Council of the coalition noted.


With this, the ICHRP hopes Rodrigo Duterte will prove himself worthy of the votes he has garnered, as it joins the Filipino people in immediately calling to:

  1. STOP all extra-judicial killings (EJKs), including the killing of Lumad people, attacks on communities and indigenous schools, among other human rights violations;
  2. STOP vilification and harassment of human rights defenders

  3. Release all political prisoners; and

     

  4. Resume formal peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines

     


“The first 100 days of the incoming president is enough time to give him fair warning on rights violations and for him to ensure justice to those victims of violations committed by the outgoing Aquino administration (as well as previous administrations),” Naylor said.


“He should sincerely address the roots of the armed conflict and disallow another National Internal Security Plan, such as the failed Oplan Bayanihan, in bringing about genuine change in the land. Without justice there can be no peace”, Canon Naylor added in response to Duterte’s call for national reconciliation and healing.


The ICHRP will be co-convening an international rights conference on July 23-24 in Davao City, Duterte’s political bailiwick.


The conference will commemorate 40 years of the Algiers Declaration of 1976, the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Peoples.


International Solidarity Missions (ISMs) will visit several areas in the Philippines from July 16 to 20 before the conference, and follow up on the findings of the 2015 International Peoples’ Tribunal held in Washington, DC.


References:

Canon Barry Naylor
Chairperson, Global Council, ICHRP
Mobile: +44 (0) 775 785 3621

Peter Murphy
General Secretary, Global Council, ICHRP
Mobile: +61 418312301

Rome forum addresses Lumad persecution in Mindanao

ICHRP Secretariat
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Rome forum addresses Lumad persecution in Mindanao

The human rights forum on “the Persecution of Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao” was greatly and strongly supported by the Italians and Filipinos in a Catholic community in Rome

More than 50 Italians and migrant Filipinos participated in the public meeting organized by the “Gruppo Solidarieta’ Internazionale Della Comunita’ di San Leone,” with Don Rafaele, the community Chaplain. The group has been actively working with other ethnic groups in Rome by means of organizing cultural activities and other forms of socio-cultural integration programs between the Italian community and other nationalities who are also active members of the church.

The forum was started by the opening speech of Don Rafaele. The Comitato di Amicizia Italo-Filipino per Diritti Umani nelle Filippine  (Italy-Philippine Friendship Association) was formally introduced as a new solidarity group  of Italians and Filipinos and Luciano, the new elected president, explained why it was formed in the first place. He presented the appeal to the Manila government to take concrete steps to end the violence against the peoples of Mindanao.

Bro. Victor Salloman of the Socio-Cultural Committee of Centro Filipino, and Ann Brusola of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Rome, were the main speakers. They shared how once beautiful and rich Mindanao is now a land covered with barren soil because of extractions and logging by multinational companies in connivance with officials of the Manila government and local big businessmen.

It was a great shock to the participants to hear about the brutal killings of Lumad* leaders and civilians. They were deeply concerned about the children who are being denied of proper education because of the threatening presence of government armed troops in their ancestral lands. And they were appalled by the dehumanizing conditions of the Lumad communities now living in the evacuation centers. The Italians in the audience cannot believe that it’s really happening in the Philippines.

“Let us bring the Lumad home,” this was the challenge to the Italian community as the forum concluded by appealing for their solidarity and action to bring the Lumad back to their ancestral lands. Their land is their home and their life. But as long as the military and paramilitary continue to occupy their communities, as long as environmentally-destructive mining and logging continues, the lives of the Lumad will never be safe.

The human rights forum was successfully held in collaboration with the San Leone Filipino Community, UMANGAT-Migrante Rome, ICHRP Rome and the Italy-Philippine Friendship Association.

For references:

Bro. Buboy Salle, ICHRP Rome, Spokesperson
Email: ichrp.rome@gmail.com

Mr. Luciano seller, President
Italy-Philippine Friendship Association
Email: l.seller@libero.it

• Lumad – minority peoples of Mindanao island

Italian Text:

Il forum di Roma sulla persecuzione dei Lumad a Mindanao.

Il forum dei diritti umani sulla “persecuzione dei popoli indigeni a Mindanao”  è stato grandemente e fortemente supportato da italiani e filippini in una comunità cattolica a Roma.

Più di cinquanta Italiani e emigrati  Filippini hanno partecipato al meeting pubblico organizzato dal “Gruppo Solidarietà Internazionale della comunità di San Leone”, con Don Rafaele, comunità Chaplain. Il gruppo ha lavorato attivamente con altri gruppi etnici di Roma per mezzo di attività organizzatrici culturali e altre forme di programmi di integrazione socio-culturale fra la comunità italiana e altre nazionalità che sono anche parti  attive nella chiesa.

Il forum è cominciato con il discorso di apertura di Don Rafaele. Il comitato di amicizia  Italo-Filippino per i diritti umani nelle Filippine è stato formalmente introdotto come un nuovo gruppo di solidarietà di italiani e filippini e, Luciano ,il neo eletto presidente, ha spiegato prima di tutto perché è stato fondato.
Egli  presentò  l’appello al governo di Manila per fare i passi concreti a porre  fine alle violenze contro le popolazioni del Mindanao.

Bro. Victor Salloman del Comitato socio-culturale del Centro Filippino e Ann Brusola della coalizione  internazionale per i diritti umani nelle Filippine di Roma, sono stati i principali relatori. Essi hanno spiegato come la ricca e bellissima Mindanao di una volta è ora una regione ricoperta di terra sterile a causa delle estrazioni e registrazioni da parte delle compagnie multinazionali in connivenza con i funzionari del governo di Manila e grandi uomini d’affari locali.

E’ stato un vero shock per i partecipanti sentir parlare dei brutali omicidi dei leaders dei Lumad e dei civili.

Essi  si sono  profondamente preoccupati  per i bambini cui viene negata una educazione appropriata  a causa della presenza minacciosa di truppe armate governative nelle loro terre ancestrali. Essi sono rimasti costernati per le condizioni disumane in cui adesso vivono le comunità Lumad nei centri di evacuazione. Gli Italiani presenti non possono credere che ciò stia realmente accadendo nelle Filippine.

Riportiamo a casa i Lumad, “ questa è stata la sfida lanciata alla comunità italiana che ha concluso il forum appellandosi alla loro solidarietà e attività per riportare I Lumads nelle loro terre ancestrali. La loro terra è la loro casa e la loro vita. Ma più a lungo continua l’occupazione militare e paramilitare delle loro comunità, più a lungo continua la distruzione ambientale con le estrazioni e registrazioni, più la vita dei Lumads non sarà mai salva.

Il forum dei diritti umani si è tenuto con successo  grazie alla collaborazione  della comunità filippina  San Leone, Umangat-Migrante Roma, ICHRP di Roma e la  Italy-Philippine Friendship Association.

Military kills civilians, including 6-year old boy, in Bukidnon

ICHRP Secretariat
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Military kills civilians, including 6-year old boy, in Bukidnon

KATUNGOD LUMAD ALERT

Military men allegedly killed two residents, one of them a 6-year old boy, and wounded another in a military operation in the Talaandig community in Sitio Kaulayanan, Lirongan, Talakag, Bukidnon.

At around 5 A.M. of April 27, 2016, 27 armed men, who introduced themselves as personnel of the Philippine Military, arrived at the house of Michael Sib-ot. They demanded Michael to turn in the guns he allegedly had. Surprised, Michael ran out of their house and ran towards the direction of the church for sanctuary. Four of the armed men then went after him and shot him, hitting him on the chest.

Leonil Camariño, upon hearing the first shot also ran towards the church. He was followed by Premo Ehigon, their former barangay captain. From where Camariño was, he saw Michael fall at the second shot. The armed men then trained their guns at him and at Premo, threatening to also shoot them if they help Michael. They raised their arms and walked back to the houses.

Camariño passed Wilfen Talian, his 50-year old in-law, who was being interrogated by more of the armed men. They were accusing him of allowing members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to sleep in his home.

Four of the armed men also went to the house of Romel Talian and ordered him to come out of the house and surrender his alleged guns as well. Out of fear, Romel jumped out of the house and rolled down the hill to their farm plot below. He was followed with gunfire and was hit on the buttock.

Meanwhile, Edjan Talian, 6 yr. Old, was hit and instantly killed by one of the men when he arrived at the community after fetching water 200 meters away.

Around 9:30 in the morning, 40 more men, this time with complete military uniforms, arrived, led by Captain Macabadbad of the 1st Special Force Battalion arrived in the community. Captain Macabadbad denied that the armed men belong to the military, saying that he doesn’t allow his men to conduct operations in civilian clothing. Residents therefore pointed to where the armed men were – at that time at the house of Wilfen Talian. The community was readying for an exchange of fire as the two groups were armed. However, witnesses said that as they met, instead of shooting each other they shook hands. At around 3 in the afternoon, Captain Macabadbad left the community together with the men who arrived ahead.

They brought  Romel Talian, the mother and grandmother of Edjan Talian to Malaybalay City. The mother, Gege Talian, and grand mother, Merlin Talian, were forced to sign a settlement but they refused. They also asked the mother of Romel Talian to force Romel to sign on an agreement stating that he was the one who shot Michael Sib-ot and Edjan Talian.

Until now, the parents of Edjan, Romel and Michael strongly refused to any kind of settlement by the military.

On April 29, the military called for a meeting, informing the community that they are setting up an organization – according to them, for peace. They then told the residents to surrender their arms which they insist the community members have and instead register with their organization. The military will then have their guns registered, they will be given a training, uniforms, and an ID. Again, they tried to negotiate with the family of the slain community members, and again, the families refused.

Sitio Kaulayanan is a Talaandig community. The military went there without the consent of the people. According to the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, no military operation should be conducted without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous community. Worse, the military accused the indigenous residents of being armed and were persecuting them for their alleged hospitality to an armed group, the NPA.

The Philippine Military has been conducting operations in indigenous communities in Bukidnon without respect for the indigenous peoples’ rights. They have disrespected and desecrated Ancestral Domains time and again, not honoring the right of the indigenous peoples’ freedom in their territories. The very location of their domains – remote and many unurbanized – has automatically made the indigenous communities target to military operations that are purportedly going after the communist-led NPA.

Indigenous communities are continuing to demand respect for their rights. As they call for the respect of their right to self-governance and self-determination, they put emphasis to their right to freedom of movement in their own ancestral lands, a freedom which is very much curtailed by the unannounced – and unwelcomed – operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

EXPRESS YOUR CONCERN to the Philippine Government by writing to:

H.E. Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph

Hon. Alfredo Benjamin Sabater Caguioa
Secretary, Department of Justice
Email: info@doj.gov.ph; communications@doj.gov.ph

Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Voice: +63(2) 911-6193
Fax:+63(2) 911-6213

Hon. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson, Commission On Human Rights
E-mail: chairgascon.chr@gmail.com
Telefax: 929-0102, 928-5655, 926-6188

Atty. Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo
Chairperson, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
Tel: 373-97-87
Email: chairpersonsoffice@gmail.com

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III
Chair, Justice and Human Rights Committee
Philippine Senate
Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5548
Direct Lines: (632) 822-9758
Fax No.: (632) 822-9759
Email: kokopimenteloffice@yahoo.com

Rep. Guillermo Romarate Jr.
Chair, Human Rights Committee
House of Representatives
Tel: (632) 931-5001; local 7051, 9518974

Hon. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr.
Governor, Province of Bukidnon
Provincial Capitol, Malaybalay City
E-mail: joe_zubiri@yahoo.com
Tel: (088) 221-2523; (088) 813-2457

Hon. Nestor Macapayag
Mayor, Municipality of Talakag
Tel: 0916-6225174; 0927-3971452

Copy furnish your letters to info@rmp-nmr.org

For more information, contact us at:

Higala sa Lumad Network
Room 01, Kalinaw Lanao Center for Interfaith Resources
0016 Bougainvilla Puti, Villaverde
9200 Iligan City, Philippines
T/F: +63 (63) 223 5179
E: info@rmp-nmr.org

Katungod Lumad Alert is published by the ‘Higala sa Lumad’ [Friends of the Lumad] Network.

‘Higala sa Lumad’ Network is a support group composed of a broad range of interfaith personalities/representative of organizations synergizing relevant capacities and resources for Lumad communities under attack. ‘Higala’ also serves as an informal monitoring network for Lumad human rights. ‘Higala’ has been established as a component of the ‘Healing the Hurt’ Project.

Published with support from the European Commission.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of RMP-NMR and ‘Healing the Hurt’ Project partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

—
Katungod Lumad Alert is published by the ‘Higala sa Lumad’ [Friends of the Lumad] Network.

‘Higala sa Lumad’ Network is a support group composed of a broad range of interfaith personalities/representative of organizations synergizing relevant capacities and resources for Lumad communities under attack. ‘Higala’ also serves as an informal monitoring network for Lumad human rights. ‘Higala’ has been established as a component of the ‘Healing the Hurt’ Project.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of RMP-NMR and ‘Healing the Hurt’ Project partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Right to Food advocates seek UN Rapporteur’s support for Kidapawan farmers

ICHRP Secretariat
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Right to Food advocates seek UN Rapporteur’s support for Kidapawan farmers

By People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty

More than 200 social movements and civil society organizations from more than 60 countries have signed a statement asking Dr. Hilal Elver, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Right to Food, to investigate the killings of Kidapawan farmers and the government’s failure to address the plight of starving communities due the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

Police authorities open fired at the protesting farmers last April 1, 2016 that resulted in the killing of 2 farmers and injuring more than a hundred civilians while more than 80 persons were also arrested. Among those who were arrested were three pregnant women, six elderly individuals and four minors.

The group claims that the incident falls right into the mandate of Dr. Elver given the alleged criminal neglect of the state on the realization of the right of the farmers to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger especially on severe conditions such as drought. Anomalies on calamity fund distribution and failure to provide food relief to families suffering from the effects of El Niño were officially reported to the ongoing Senate inquiry.

Spearheaded by the Peoples Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), several organizations from Europe, North America, Africa, Middle East and Asia have issued statements condemning the incident along with sending memes and group pictures to social media of activists holding placards in support of the Kidapawan farmers. PCFS and its allied organizations have also participated in the globally coordinated protest action held last April 8 to condemn internationally the violent incident in Kidapawan.

The network cited that it is important for Dr. Hilal Elver to be part of an independent body to investigate not only the massacre but also the overall condition of food insecurity in provinces being hit by El Niño. PCFS claims that initial reports of a fact finding team of human rights groups shows evidence of a cover up by the current administration including the local government and the police authorities on what truly transpired in North Cotabato that led to the bloody incident.

PCFS together with the Asian Peasant Coalition and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (National Peasant Movement of the Philippines) have worked with Dr. Olivier De Schutter, predecessor of Dr. Hilal Elver, on the issue of landgrabbing in Isabela. The group reported that Dr. De Schutter and Mr. S. James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples then, have issued a strong joint statement that raised the alarm on the possible impact that the agrofuel project will create in the communities of Isabela and in the food security of the Philippines in general. The agrofuel project then was halted on the same year.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food monitors the situation and identifies general trends related to the right to food and undertakes country visits which provide the Special Rapporteur with a firsthand account on the situation concerning the right to food in a specific country. The Special Rapporteur also communicates with States and other concerned parties with regard to alleged cases of violations of the right to food and other issues related to his/her mandate.

Some of the organizations and institutions that signed the statement of condemnation were faith-based organizations, trade unions, farmers and indigenous peoples movements, research institutions, NGOs among others. PCFS is planning to bring their demands to the Senate hearing along with various agencies pertinent to the farmers’ concern in Kidapawan.

The People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty is a network of various grassroots groups of small food producers particularly of peasant-farmer organizations and their support NGOs, working towards a People’s Convention on Food Sovereignty.

Roy Anunciacion
PCFS Secretariat Coordinator
Tel: (+63 2) 927 7060 loc 202
Skype: roy.anunciacion

Philippines office: 3rd Floor, IBON Center
114 Timog Avenue,
Quezon City,
Philippines

Kenya office: Kirichwa Road,
Kilimani, Nairobi,
Kenya

Bolivia office: Calle Aspiazu 500,
8vo Piso, Zona Sopocachi,
La Paz, Bolivia

 

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