BRIEFING PAPER ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS IN THE BBL - LOYUKAN

The indigenous peoples in Mindanao have constantly been struggling for their right to self-determination. This continuing struggle has been an integral part of the advocacy for peace and development within the region. It has then been part of their work to push for their rights within the negotiation for peace between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The leaders of Teduray, Lambangian, Arumanen Manobo, along with other leaders from affected communities, have been actively engaging the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) since 2010 to bring their serious concerns of exclusion, misrepresentation, and different forms of discrimination and violence in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), so that the peace process with the MILF will be able to address these historical injustices experienced by the indigenous peoples.

The engagements of the IP leaders are from the local up to the national level – bilateral, tripartite and multilateral dialogues, congressional and public hearings, study sessions, and forums. The IP advocacy work is led by the Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG), along with other indigenous political structures within the ARMM and contiguous areas. When the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) was created, this, too was a platform they vigilantly used to articulate their concerns, and later on, to push for actual concrete proposals to be integrated in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

While there was very little support, if any, from OPAPP, the IP leaders have garnered support for their call for the full inclusion of indigenous peoples’ rights in the BBL outside the formal negotiation spaces. In 2014, when then President Benigno Aquino III handed the draft BBL of the BTC to Congress, the IP leaders were vigilantly attending committee hearings in both houses as resource persons, articulating their positions, and pushing for a BBL that is cognizant of the rights of the indigenous peoples. The IP leaders and their advocacy received support in the Congress, and among peace advocates.

Unfortunately, in 2015, the Mamasapano Massacre happened, which led to the mistrust of the members of the Congress on MILF and the peace talks. Thereafter, the 16th Congress failed to pass the BBL.

In 2016, upon the assumption of office of Rodrigo Duterte as president, he stated that the passage of the BBL is his priority, along with his push for federalism. In November 2016, Pres. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 8, expanding the membership of the BTC from 15 to 21. This expansion is purportedly to be more inclusive. However, the number of IP representatives remained the same – 1 from MILF, and another from the government side. This meant that the IP agenda remained marginalized in the negotiation, and finally in the output of the BTC. The BTC version is still sorely missing the full recognition of the non-Moro Indigenous Peoples rights to self-determination, their ancestral domain, and their distinct identity.

In July 17, 2017, this was submitted to President Duterte. After this, Duterte met with the MILF to discuss the BBL and the federalism agenda. There was no formal endorsement from the Office of the President of the BTC version of the BBL to Congress.

In August of 2017, the OPAPP, now chaired by Secretary Dureza, convened the Mindanao IP Legislative Assembly (MIPLA), with representatives from major indigenous populations, facilitated by the GRP Indigenous Peoples Peace Panel. The TJG leaders took a very critical role in MIPLA, and for 3 months, the assembly was able to draft a collection of proposed revisions of specific chapters, ensuring that their rights, identity and ancestral domains as non-Moro Indigenous Peoples are recognized, and integrated throughout the draft BBL.

This output of the MIPLA was officially endorsed by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to Congress. On the other hand, the OPAPP, after funding and convening the MIPLA, considered its task done, and left the IPs to lobby the Congress by themselves. Meanwhile, Rep. Nancy Catamco, and Rep. Wilter Wee Palma II, as the Chair and Member for the Majority respectively, of the Committee of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, committed to use the MIPLA outputs in the delibrations of the house bills on BBL to push for the full inclusion of IP rights.

There were 4 different versions of the bill filed in the lower house – the BTC version was filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (HB 6475), and three other bills filed by Deputy Speaker and Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sinsuat Sema, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Lanao del Norte Rep. Muhamad Khalid Dimaporo. These bills seek to repeal Republic Act 9054, entitled “An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” and RA 6374 entitled “An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao”. None of these bills articulate the full inclusion of IP rights within the BBL.

In January 2018, the joint sub-committee to which the BBL was assigned, chaired by Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter Wee Palma II, resumed its hearings, and was set to come up with a new working draft bill based on the HB 6475, 92, 6121 and 6263. The IP leaders were hopeful that with the champions in the Congress, the MIPLA provisions would be integrated in the new draft bill.

In May 15, 2018, the House joint committees on Local Government, committee on Muslim affairs and the committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity approved the committee report on HB 6475, the BTC version, without any amendments.

There was a total of 22 consultations done by Congress, all of which produced recommended revisions of the draft bill. Furthermore, there were the recommended MIPLA provisions. None was taken in.

There were questions on the process. These were registered during the committee hearing after the vote. House Assistant Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc then said that any objections or proposed amendments may be brought to the plenary.

No one raised any objection regarding the absence of the recognition of IP rights in the approved BBL bill.

At the Senate, the sub-committee on BBL under the committee on local governments, chaired by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, conducted 11 public hearings and six whole days of technical working group meetings. After these, the sub-committee passed SB 1717, which, according to Zubiri, is “not 100 % BTC version, but it’s 96% BTC.”

According to Zubiri, legislators are aiming to pass the BBL into law before Sine Die (adjournment) “to meet the President’s desire.”

IP RIGHTS MATTER

The deliberations of BBL have been intense since the 16th Congress. The IP leaders from Teduray, Lambangian, Arumanen Manobo and from other contiguous areas of ARMM have been in and out of the halls of Congress to speak their truth – how they are part of the struggle for peace in Mindanao, and how they support the passage of BBL. But they also speak of the reality that a BBL without the full inclusion of the rights of non-Moro Indigenous Peoples – no recognition of their ancestral domain, their distinct identity, and their right to self-determination – then it will further institutionalize the discrimination, and the marginalization of the women and men of Teduray, Lambangian and other indigenous communities within the proposed Bangsamoro.

Red Lines and Key Demands

IDENTITY (Article II, Section 2): The freedom of choice of all indigenous peoples’ within the Bangsamoro territory to retain their distinct indigenous and ethnic identity in addition to their Bangsamoro political identity shall be respected. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of identity, religion, and ethnicity.

FPIC in contiguous territory (Article III, Section 3): Contiguous provinces, cities, municipalities, barangay, and other geographical areas other than those mentioned in the preceding Section, that obtain a majority of qualified votes cast in the periodic plebiscites, as provided under Article XV, Section 4 of this Basic Law shall become part of the Bangsamoro; Provided, that the inclusion of the ancetral domains in the Bangsamoro, shall be subject to the free, prior, and informed consent of the affected community.

DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE MORO AND NON-MORO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’(Article IV, Section 9): The Bangsamoro government recognizes and promotes the rights of Moro and Non-Moro indigenous peoples’ within the framework of the Constitution and existing laws.

CONCURRENT POWERS (Article V, Section 2) The Central government and the Bangsamoro Government shall exercise shared powers within the Bangsamoro on the following matters:

(29) Ancestral Domain and Natural Resources

(30) Protection of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ in the Bangsamoro

(31) Creation of the Independent Commisssion for Moro and Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples

IP RIGHTS (Article IX, Section 4): .. consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ (UNDRIP), the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), and existing laws on indigenous peoples.

FPIC FOR PROTECTED AREAS (Article XIII, Section 8): The Bangsamoro Parliament shall pass a law for the establishment of protected areas, creating procedure for the declaration and management of protected areas and the role of the Bangsamoro government. Provided that the protected areas to be declared within ancestral domains shall be subject to the free, prior, and informed consent of Moro and Non-Moro indigenous peoples.

RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OVER NATURAL RESOURCES (Article XIII, Section 12): The Bangsamoro Parliament shall enact a law recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro in relation to natural resources within the terrotories covered by a native title, including their share in revenues, as provided in this Basic Law, and priority rights in the exploration, development, and utilization of such natural resources within their area. Exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources including but not limited to fossil fuels and uranium, mines and minerals, and renewable energy, within ancestral domains shall be subject to FPIC.

REPEALING CLAUSE (Article XVIII, Section 2): Provided that such laws, degrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances and parts thereof, shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution, and shall not fall below the minimum standards contained in national laws and relevant international instruments.

APPEAL TO CONGRESS

Today, the 17th Congress, we witness an express process to pass the BBL, as proposed by the BTC. Pres. Duterte earlier said that the MILF has “placed on us the burden of a timeline.” Thus, the voices of peoples, the diverse concerns of different sectors from the numerous consultations of Congress were set aside to immediately approve HB 6475 and SB 1717. The Indigenous Peoples, on the other hand, from the broad reach of communities of Mindanao, expressed their desire to be included, recognized, and respected in the proposed BBL. The MIPLA produced specific provisions which have bases in law, and aimed to address continuing injustices to the indigenous peoples. These were set aside. In the Senate, the plenary deliberations are being scheduled, and aimed to be finished by the end of the month. All this haste in the aid of satisfaction – that of the “president’s desire.”

But we don’t lose hope, as we cannot. A full inclusion of IP rights within the BBL will mean a life of dignity, peace and development for all of us – women and men of Moro and Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao.

We put our hopes in the hands of the women and men in Congress – both House and Senate- who wish to have them remembered by history as the courageous legislators and Filipinos, who fought for the rights of those who have less in law; and who have believed that peace lies not in the hands of the few, but in the hands and hearts of the masses.

May 16, 2018

LOYUKAN (Teduray term for comrade) is a formation of Indigenous Peoples Political Structures, NGOs and individual advocates pushing for the full inclusion of IP rights within the BBL

Mindanao Secretariat : Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM), Janel Pesons (janpesons@gmail.com)

Manila Secretariat : Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC-KsK), Norly Grace Mercado (norlygrace@yahoo.com)

To have IP rights in BBL means inclusive peace, say Lumads

(5.21.18/Manila) – “To include non-Moro indigenous peoples rights in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) means inclusive peace, and a more lasting one,” says Timuay Santos Unsad, a Teduray leader from Upi, Maguindanao. 

“Peace in Mindanao is a common aspiration of the Moro people and the non-Moro IPs. We have supported the struggle of our Muslim brothers and sisters for peace and development within our region. Their peace, is our peace. And that is why the BBL, to be truly a peace instrument, should also recognize the rights of the Teduray, Lambangian and other non-Moro indigenous peoples in Maguindanao,” adds Timuay Santos. 

Timuay Santos Unsad is one of the 350 IP leaders who have been part of the Mindanao IP Legislative Assembly or MIPLA, which was convened by the Office of the Presidential Adviser to the Peace Process (OPAPP) last year. The MIPLA was mandated to draft specific proposed revisions to the BBL which would contain the IP agenda. The Assembly worked for 3 months, and came up with proposed revisions. 

“We drafted proposed revisions to enhance the BBL, recognizing our rights to our ancestral domains, and our distinct identity as non-Moro IP rights. These were presented to the Congress,” according to Timuay Santos. “But now, all of these seem to be set aside in favor of the version from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which prescribes that all peoples within the proposed Bangsamoro territory are all Bangsamoro. But we are not. We are Teduray, with our own ancestral domain, justice system, and governance. We are non-Moro indigenous peoples.” 

The Congress plans to pass the proposed BBL before it adjourns on June 1, upon the urging of President Rodrigo Duterte. At the House of Representatives, the House Committees on Local Government, Muslim Affairs, and Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity approved House Bill No. 6475 or the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) without amendments last week. This did not sit well among some members of the House, who said that all the consultations and public hearings were rendered useless, as no revisions were entertained. The HB 6475 is the version submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC). The same can be said with the Senate, when Senator Miguel Zubiri decided to author instead the BTC version. The interpellation of SB 1717, or the proposed BBL, is ongoing at the Senate. 

“It’s true, that the BBL is long overdue. We have been part of the struggle, too. We have been attending congressional hearings, dialogues, public forums, to express our support to BBL, but also to say that an inclusive BBL is the only way to go to have an inclusive peace,” says Fintailan Leonora Mokudef. Fintailan is a title for a Teduray woman leader. “Indigenous Peoples in ARMM did not enjoy the rights provided by the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA). Recognition of our rights is also long overdue.”

The government of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) did not recognize IPRA, a national law, as applicable within its territory. Its applicability over the Bangsamoro Territory is one of the critical revisions that the IP leaders are pushing for. The IP leaders went to the Senate today to have dialogues with the Senators and to observe the plenary discussions of SB 1717, or the Senate version of the proposed BBL. 

“The halls of the Senate are familiar now to us. We have been here before, during the Aquino administration lobbying for the inclusion of IP agenda in the BBL. We have allies then who seem to have changed their position,” observes Timuay Leticio Datuwata, a Lambangian leader, from South Upi, Maguindanao. “We just hope that there will still be a number of members of the Senate who believes in the pursuit of peace, and that peace should be for everyone – even us, non-Moro Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao.”

Timuay Santos, Fintailan Leonora and Timuay Leticio are all part of LOYUKAN, a Teduray term to mean comrades. It is a coalition of IP leaders, Indigenous Political Structures, IP rights advocates, human rights organizations, and other members of the social movement who are all pushing for the full inclusion of the IP rights within the BBL. 

For more information:

Mabel Carumba -- 09998721405 / tubong.mindanao@gmail.com
Judy a. Pasimio -- 09175268341 / judy@lilak.net

IWD 2018 Statement: Thank you women for leading us the way out!

Women lead us the way out!

A Solidarity Statement on the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2018

Women are central and pivotal in the production, reproduction and revolutionary processes since society existed.

MindanaOne would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the feminist and women movement in Mindanao, the Philippines and the world.

Historically, Women’s day started as a radical expression of women workers in the 1900s demanding voting rights, better pay and shorter working hours. In the Philippine and Mindanao contexts during the anti-colonial to anti-imperialist revolutions to anti-dictator Marcos, women are at the forefront

In the Philippines today, women workers are facing labor contractualization, sexual abuses, unjust and unfair working conditions aside from the new impositions of the tax reform introduced by the Duterte administration that impacted to the rise of prices in basic commodities and services. Instead of fulfilling its campaign promise to end labor contractualization scheme it preferred to consult the capitalists. Women in the economic processing zones are kicked out as they asserted to form unions to claim and protect their rights. Overseas women workers continued to suffer injustices and abuses from their employers abroad and even victims of illegal trafficking in the country while the government continued to encourage labor exportation. One can just imagine the social costs and difficulties experienced by these workers.

In Mindanao, it is becoming difficult for the women and girls in the rural communities affected by the wars and displacements. Corporate interests implemented by the very own government and agencies collaborating with the capitalist’s agri-businesses and extractive projects targeting ancestral lands of Indigenous Peoples and the Bangsamoro.

Abandoning government’s duty to promote social justice left out small farmers and food producing sectors from the priorities of the government and even more hit by the corporate dominated economic system. And this added more difficulties to women and mothers that mostly takes charge in household matters.

Ecological and humanitarian crises have worsened women’s situation. Their lives in the refugee camps and or evacuation centers are so bad and miserable while they are not given enough space for participation in rebuilding their lives and communities.

At home and even in the work places, abused to women’s rights persisted. And this is reinforced even by the misogynist pronouncements by the very President Duterte. It only showed how this current government see women as sexual subjects. Despite, it was the women to voice out first their opposition to mass killings and human rights violations under the Duterte administration.

From homes, communities to work places women are victims of abuses, exploitation and oppression.

As always, women and feminist movements are capable of fighting back. Across social and mass movements we are witnesses of important and leading roles that women and girls played from confronting the situation to offering concrete alternatives.

Women’s day is a celebration for the movement’s victories and continuous struggle for gender, social and climate justice. MindanaOne stands with the women across the world in their struggles.

We join all women and girls in the fight for equality, human rights and dignity; social, gender and climate justice; food sovereignty; rights and welfare as workers and food producers; and dignified society.

Thank you women for leading us the way out!

MindanaOne

March 7, 2018

katipunanmindanao@gmail.com

Statement on EDSA 32nd year: Not Mindanao but End Elitist Politics and Economy! Advance Peoples'-based and Democratic Government.

Post-EDSA administrations failed to give justice to the struggles and aspirations of those martyred by the Marcos dictatorship.

Political and economic elites (liberal democracy) grabbed and robbed from the revolting masses and workers in the 1986 mass uprising their dreams to establish a country contrary to the dark era of the Marcos dictatorship.

But these ills and failures should not be a reason for establishing a new dictatorship. We must get rid of such situation.

Mindanao have been a field of wars and struggles during and after the Marcos dictatorship. Until today these revolutions for human rights, ancestral domains and right to self-detremination remain real. And today, the Mindanao struggles have been used as one of the reason to change the constitution and even the imposition of the Martial Law declaration (extension after being extended).

True that this Philippine elitist constitution is far from perfect (fact as elitist) but should not use Mindanao for the selfish interests of the politicians and corporations.

Terrorism have put Mindanao in a difficult and yet crucial situation- Extended Martial Law. Terrorist activities of many organizations varries in context not limited to have deeply-rooted from the historical injustices to the Moro people, capitalist and militarist project of the foreign and local interests and wide inequality across the country. Terrorism should be stopped but the excesses of Martial Law and its extension have more terrorized communities and peoples.

To confront this question at hand, Martial Law is an excessive response. It only exposed the incapability or inablity of government aparatuses. And if not, then there must be more reasons behind since reports and sightings of these organizations were already known years (2014) before the May 23, 2017.

We stand against all plans to a federalism and a change of the constitution that would only strengthen the power of local and regional dynasties in Mindanao and the rest of the countries and whole-sale the patrimony to global capitalists. This federalism project of the Duterte administration is surrounded with interests of politicians and business corporations.

Federalism must be for an inclusive society ensuring the future and self-determination of the Indigenous Peoples and the Bangsamoro people over their economic, political and cultural lives and not mere political accommodations and propaganda.

Substantially, the Duterte administration should address the clamor and aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples and Bangamoro.

Concretely, Duterte administration must provide real alternatives that would alleviate the lives of the poor and workers and order his minions in the hall of the shameless to scrap the tax reform (TRAIN Law) it introduced, be true to its commitment against contractualization of labor, stop phase out of transport jeepneys without hearing and considering transport groups proposals for a just transition, demolish all capitalist exploitations to our natural, mineral and agriculture resources instead pour substantial support to sustainable agriculture and economy thus provides strong local economy to combat labor migration.

On this 32nd year after the mass uprising of peoples and sectors, a challenge is in front of us that we are in need of more determined movements to build a more peoples' based, democratic and sustainable governance and economy. Let us remind the Duterte administration and its machineries that once in our history we were able to depost a dictator and we remain capable of doing that as time calls.

Let us push for economic policies that upholds justice and human rights and not sufferings, reppressions and oppressions.

Confront China and USA interventions asserting our sovereignty as a country of nations.

Strengthen our solidarity against impunity, human rights violations, inequality and divisions.

Let us continue to expose the social, political and economic ills and unjust policies of the government.

The Duterte administration's Charter Change and Federalism pushing for a more powerful political and econonmic elites and whole-sale of Philippine patrimony and sovereignty must be opposed.

Duterte administration must lift Martial Law and should put on top of its priority program respect of human rights while fighting against criminalities and illegal drugs.

Intensify our campaigns of concrete sustainable and peoples'-based alternatives everywhere, anytime.

February 25, 2018

katipunanmindanao@gmail.com

Itigil ang pagpaslang sa mga Lumad! Respetuhin ang karapatang pantao at ang karapatang pagpasya sa loob ng mga lupaing ninuno!

Itigil ang pagpaslang sa mga Lumad! Respetuhin ang karapatang pantao at ang karapatang pagpasya sa loob ng mga lupaing ninuno!

Kaming 26 na miyembro ng konseho at peace panel ng Independent Indigenous Peoples’ Voice na nanggagaling sa iba’t-ibang tribu ng Lumad sa Mindanao ay mariin na kumukondena sa walang patid na patayan sa aming hanay. Sa Munisipyo ng Arakan, North Cotabato lamang, anim (6) ka tao na ang namatay simula noong Oktubre 2017 hanggang sa buwan ng Enero ng kasalukuyang taon. Karamihan sa mga ito ay Lumad.

Ayon sa datos na naitala namin sa pagitan noong Oktubre hanggang Disyembre 2017, tatlo (3) ka tao ang pinaslang. Ito ay sina: Dondon Bartolaba, Edgar Arania, Toto Lamana.

Samantala sa pagbukas pa lamang ng taong 2018, tatlong buhay na naman ang muling nalagas. Ito ay sina:

Tommy Agyaman- January 11,2018 

Michael Locario January 13, 2018

Ricky Olado- January 28, 2018

Ang mga patayang ito ay nagdulot ng ligalig at takot sa aming mga kumunidad. Ito ay lalong umigting noong pinalawig pa ng isang taon ang deklarasyon ng Batas Militar ng Presidente sa buong Mindanaa. Isa pang nakakabahala ay ang ipinahayag ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at ng Presidente na 75-80% ng mga kasapi ng New People’s Army (NPA) ay Lumad. Kami ay lubos na nabahala sa mga deklarasyong ito lalo na ng binansagan ni Presidente Duterte na terorista ang NPA sapagkat ito ay naglalagay sa amin sa panganib, kahit pa nga kami ay di kaanib sa NPA.

Ang kaso ng pagpatay ay hindi lamang nagaganap sa munisipyo ng Arakan, North Cotabato kundi maging sa ibang probinsiya ng Mindanao, katulad na lamang sa nangyaring pagpatay kay Datu Victor Danyan at ng kanyang pitong (7) kasamahang lider ng katutubong T’boli ng Ned, Lake Sebu noong Disyembre 3, 2017.

Kami ay naiipit sa labanan ng New Peoples’ Army at ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, maging ng ibang armadong grupo at paramilitary ng mga korporasyon na pilit umaangkin sa likas na yaman na matatagpuan sa aming lupaing ninuno. Ang mga armadong awayan na ito ay hindi amin ngunit pilit na ipinadama at ipanalasap sa aming mga katutubo na nagnanais na mamuhay ng matiwasay at tahimik sa loob ng aming mga lupaing ninuno ng walang pangingialam ng ninuman na grupo;

Kaming mga katutubo ay tuliro at pawang walang mapupuntahan sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Marami na sa amin ay binabansagan na miyembro ng NPA. Habang yaong pumasok bilang CAFGU ay tinitingnan naman na counter-revolutionary sa panig ng mga NPA. Ang mga ito ay nagdudulot ng malalim na pagkahati-hati ng aming kumunidad at pagkawala ng tiwala sa aming mga kapwa katutubo;

Maging isang miyembro ng konseho ng IIPV ay kasalukuyang nanganganib ang buhay. Noong madaling araw ng Enero 30, 2018, pinasok ang bahay ni Datu Danilo Apang ng tatlo ka tao. Hindi ito kilala ng kanyang pamilya. Nagkataon na wala sa kanyang pamamahay si Datu Apang ng panahong iyon. Dalawa sa mga taong pinatay sa buwan ng Enero 2018 (Agyaman at Olado) ay kanyang mga kamag-anak.

Kami ay nanawagan na itigil na ang mga patayan at bigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima. Nanawagan din kami sa lahat ng mga may kaukulan, sa panig man ng gobyerno, rebeldeng grupo at iba pa na mga armado na respetuhin ang mga pamayanan ng mga katutubo maging ng aming mga tribal self-governance systems o Indigenous Political Structures (IPS).

Aming hinihimok ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at ang Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New Peoples Army na bumalik na sa kanilang pag-uusap. Habang walang negosasyon, walang mekanismo na maaring magagamit ang mga mamayang Lumad na apektado sa sigalot ng dalawang grupo, bagkus, ay naiipit at nabibiktima nito.

Muli naming mariin na isinasaad na ang aming mga teritoryo ay sagrado kung kaya’t ang inyong mga sigalot ay huwag dalhin sa aming mga lupaing ninuno.

References:

Timuay Leticio Datuwata                  Datu Ayag Quiambao

Chairperson, IIPV Peace Panel         Spokesperson, IIPV

0928-7321624                                   0946-8774542

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Update from the ground: Keep Supporting Typhoon Vinta Survivors - MIHANDs

Lanao del Norte Incident Command Center Updating and Planning

As Typhoon Vinta (Tembin) left many sorrowful memories of the holiday season, MIHANDs grassroots member organizations in Lanao del Norte namely DKMP, LAFCCOD and KILOS KA-Lanao, who are typhoon survivors themselves did not falter their resolved to become resource for others and rose from the mudflows to help their families, friends and neighbors. Amidst this difficult circumstance, they immediately reactivated their quick action teams and formed a coordinated Incident Command System.

To support this initiative, MIHANDs immediately posted an appeal for financial and material support for the affected families since December 23, 2017. We did this because being a grassroots-based humanitarian network, we do not have stockpiles of relief materials readily available for dispense. But we find strength and inspiration from the over-flowing commitment and spirit of volunteerism from our grassroots member-organizations all over Mindanao. We also enjoy the friendship and strong spirit of solidarity from friends, partners and supporters inside the Philippines and abroad.

Many thanks to you all those, who in whatever means and ways, responded to our Appeal posted on December 23, 2017; hence, with the material and cash donations collected by MIHANDs since then, we are able to extend some support to 64 farmer-households with 5 kilos organic rice, hygiene kits and cleaned used clothing. This was distributed to farmers in different partner communities of DKMP on December 31, the New Year’s Eve. Some photos are posted here.

Another 100 fisher folk-households received today and tomorrow (January 9-10, 2018) organic rice and relief materials packed by and distributed by LAFCCOD in their partner fishing communities. Photos of these activities will be posted soon.

Also today, MIHANDs Health Team conducted a detailed planning workshop with our Lanao del Norte Center Command for the upcoming 1st Round of Medical Mission using Ear Acu- Detox set on January 12-14, 2018 in 2 sites – one in Maranding Arcade Evacuation Center and to the house-based survivors of Barangay Rebe, both in Lala Municipality. Thanks to NADA Philippines - our partner in this continuing health mission.

All our humanitarian response happen because of your trust and unwavering support - our members, friends, supporters and partners. Thus, we cannot thank you that much from the bottom of our heart.

We will continue the humanitarian relief mission of helping disasters survivors in Marawi, in Lanao, in Mindanao and elsewhere. And as such, any help and donations from you are very much welcome.

For the next updates for our ongoing humanitarian initiatives, we promise to keep you posted! Soon we will also be sharing with you stories of how communities and peoples from the ground brave the wrath of Typhoon Vinta.

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Many thanks to our network members, volunteers, donors and supporters that make our humanitarian missions possible.

We are posting again our channels for donations, in case you want to be part of these humanitarian missions:

Through Paypal : paypal.me/janpesons

Through Bank Transfer :

Account Name : Mindanao Humanitarian Action Network
Account No. : 9353-1085-54
Bank Name : Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI)
Bank Address : Quezon Avenue, Iligan City
SWIFT Code : BOPIPHMM
Thank you so much!

(MIHANDs is a movement of at least 50 grassroots organizations for humanitarian actions against disasters convened by TRIPOD and RDRRAC since 2013).

Organic Rice produced by Lanao del Norte farmers packed for TS Vinta Survivors

Volunteers packing

Sorting of Clothings

Ready for distribution

Updates thru: 

Multi-Stakeholders Initiatives for Humanitarian Action against Disasters

Pictures: MIHANDs