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“It is evident that government forces had put civilians’ lives at risk and have also hampered the children’s right to education. Therefore, it is just to call for the military to immediately stop their operations in the said communities, and to call for the government to disband the paramilitary groups in the area, particularly the Bagani Forces.” -- Rural Missionaries of the Philippines - Northern Mindanao
“I even attended this press conference and I am active most recently in relief missions for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan),” said Genasque Enriquez.
“Even with the capture of notorious Gen. Jovito Palparan recently, his butcher mentality and his bloody human rights record have been well-entrenched in the AFP’s bureaucracy and is carried on by no less than his protégé, Gen. Ricardo Visaya. The continuing Palparan-like killings and tactics is proof of that.” – Jomorito Goaynon, chair of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization
Indigenous peoples answer the Aquino administration’s “deception, dispossession and destruction” with defiance.
“This petition highlights the unity of indigenous peoples’ communities against large-scale, plunderous, destructive mining.” – Piya Macliing Malayao, KAMP spokesperson
“More than 100,000 indigenous peoples from 39 tribal groups all over the country will be dislocated or will lose their livelihood as an effect of the all-out mining liberalization under Aquino. Even more indigenous communities will be displaced in energy, water, and plantation projects under the Public-Private Partnership program.”– Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas
“Why are they depriving people of their lands?” – Mayeth Corpuz, an Agta, secretary general of the Samahan ng mga Katutubo sa Sierra Madre (SKSM)
“When Camp O’ Donnel was built, they drove away the Aetas. Now they (US and Philippine military) are expanding, and they are once again driving away Aetas.” – Edwin Danan, Central Luzon Aeta Association
The masked men took laptops, memory sticks, printed documents, external hard drives, mobile phones, logbooks and cameras.
“In allowing the US military to interfere in Philippine internal affairs, the Aquino regime is paving the way for US interventionism on a larger scale in the future.”
“The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples has for a long time failed to protect indigenous peoples’ rights and well-being and instead worsens the violations of indigenous peoples’ rights and human rights. It is for this reason that our organizations are now calling for the dismantling of the NCIP.”
'A return to the 'militarized areas' is also a violation of international human rights instruments - Bishop Felixberto Calang, Iglesia Filipina Independiente and chairperson of Barug Katungod Mindanao.
“Isn’t this a sign of the cold-heartedness of our government? Needless to say, the recent forcible evacuation affirmed that even children are not spared from the violence of military operations. “ – Children’s Rehabilitation Center
Army spokesman Capt. Ernest Carolina claims residents were 'tricked' into believing promises of the NPAs.
"The reason behind the bold moves of the military now is still the same – they want to log what remains of our forests and to mine the minerals in the mountains.” IP leader
'Soldiers’ encampment inside school premises is a violation of many international instruments which the Philippines is a signatory, the Constitution and specific laws like Republic Act 9610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Law.' - CRC
“Typhoon Yolanda destroyed our houses and our trees in November 8 last year… Now, more than two months after, the 61st IB-PA and the NCIP suddenly remembered to conduct a relief distribution operation, come here in the middle of our assembly preparations and in full battle gear?”
"The commitment to protect and nurture the environment and national patrimony is not an easy road to take. Not only does it require patience and perseverance, energies and strength of will, but in other times, it also costs peoples' lives." – Frances Quimpo, Center for Environmental Concerns
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