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“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
Red local govt leader in Pablo-ravaged ComVal credits the CPP for helping them organize the farmers, implement communal farming system and help assure their food security.
Govt military operations resulted in the death of a civilian, the detention of three others, and the dislocation of hundreds more in Maragusan and Maco towns from Nov18 to Dec 6.
"Ironically, under the government of BS Aquino, warlords and paramilitary groups were not dismantled. Worst, the same warlord group is said to be facilitating the entry of mining and oil palm plantations like that of A. Brown Company in the area."
The resources gathered from contributions may serve only a small per cent of 8,000 families still displaced, “But this would not stop us from doing what we can to help the victims and let everyone know the situation of the people in Zamboanga.” ...
Dismissing the case against the accused murderers of Juvy Capion and her sons, Pops and John, "was a go-signal for military and paramilitary groups to continue killing civilians opposed to big mines and other destructive projects." – Task Force Justice for Environment Defenders
“As families and friends commemorate the death of Juvy Capion and her two sons, the decision comes as an insult to the family and to all the victims of human rights violations and also shows the weakness of the Aquino administration to render justice to its aggrieved citizens.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate
“This award is for the indigenous peoples, this is for the people we write about, like the Mangyans who strive to educate themselves despite countless limitations.”- Marya Salamat
“One hundred ten years of operations of Benguet Corporation, 77 years of Lepanto Mining Corporation and 57 years of Philex Mining Corporation did not bring development to the people of Cordillera.” – Beverly Longid, Katribu Partylist
A 17-year-old told Human Rights Watch that Philippine soldiers beat him up to force him to admit he was a rebel fighter. He said he eventually lied and said he was with the MNLF so that the beatings would stop.
Zambo evacuees recount the "politeness" of MNLF members, and the "oddness" of the state military burning houses of civilians as a strategy.
“The air strikes and strafing in Sagada, Mt. Province have affected the livelihood source of the people – the forest, water sources and farms. The security of the people as well was endangered with their manner of operations.” – Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Against the 156 processed Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles, of which only 37 were registered, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples issued a total of 320 certifications allowing mining operations.
A known anti-mining activist has been missing since August 21. The victim was last seen being forced into a police patrol car but authorities denied having custody of him.
“Why do the military insist that the reasons we are so determined to stop the foreign mining companies are the NPAs, who are supposedly pushing us to do so? Don’t we, lowly people, also have the right to unite to protect our lands?”
The updated IP Agenda was divided into four themes: on IP lands, territories, resources and development aggression; on human rights, militarization and peace; NCIP, conflicting laws and FPIC; and on social services, Post-2015 Development goals, Climate Change adaptation and Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness and Response Measures.
It is the same anywhere in the Asia Pacific region, either indigenous people’s issues are ignored or distorted by the media.
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