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It is the same anywhere in the Asia Pacific region, either indigenous people’s issues are ignored or distorted by the media.
Elders from Mankayan town refused to be included in the list of representatives made by the National Commision on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Cordillera for the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes regarding mining applications and land conversions affecting the area.
The schools of the Mangyans have to deal with shortages, water being cut off during heavy rains, and harassments from the military. But they persist and are even planning to expand.
Read also: All the Mangyans want is for their children to learn
Formed in 2009, Haggibat, the organization of Mangyan tribes, has caused the building of 16 to 18 literacy schools among seven tribes in communities in the uplands of Mindoro. But all their efforts would come to naught if the military would continue to harass them to stop them from organizing against the operations of mining firms.
Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) chairman Windel Bolinget pointed out that despite the Philippine government's adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and other human rights treaties, the escalating human rights violations perpetrated against indigenous peoples in the country are alarming
“The LCMC's mining operations will mean the grabbing and destruction of hundreds of hectares of agricultural lands, forests and other parts of the ancestral domain of the indigenous peoples of Mankayan and Tadian." -- NPA-Benguet
"The people of the region like in other parts of the country are suffering from worsening economic crisis." -- Cordillera Peoples Alliance
“We are not against mining. We recognize the need for mining. But it’s different if foreigners are the ones utilizing our mining resources…”
This virtual dropping of the Philippine claim to Sabah, Araullo said, “has defined Aquino’s behavior from the time the army of the Sultanate went there in Lahad Datu (in February).”
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Corruption, violence, human rights violations, chilling disasters one after another –these are what Filipinos have suffered as a result of implementing the Mining Act of 1995.” – Bayan Muna Party Rep. Neri Colmenares
Read also: Mining Act + Aquino’s mining EO = poison, plunder and disaster
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bayan regards this double standard in handling the Sabah and Spratlys/Panatag Shoal issues as a demonstration of the Aquino government’s “deceitful and sham patriotism.”
Sidebar: Don’t use OFWs to mask double standards in Sabah dispute, Aquino told
By MARYA SALAMAT
“There are actual experiences and technologies available that demonstrate how Philex can decommission the tailings dam without resuming its mining operations.” – Kalikasan PNE
Read also: MGB go-signal to Philex: baseless, ill-advised, dangerous
By MARYA SALAMAT
Opposition to the Tampakan mining project of SMI-Xstrata has claimed the lives of four people. And yet, the Aquino government continues to side with the mining giant as it attempts to override the ban issued by the local government.
Read also: Malacañang warned against approving mining application of giant SMI-Xstrata
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