statements | Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

Statements: Peace Talks still viable option

May 5, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

By PHILIPPINE ECUMENICAL PEACE PLATFORM

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) is saddened by the government’s recent announcement of the collapse of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). As church leaders, we are for the continuing of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and we are deeply concerned with this latest development.

According to an article posted on the website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the GPH is “considering a ‘new approach’ to peacefully resolve the armed conflict with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) amid the 22-month impasse in the negotiations and the mounting violence inflicted by the NPA on soft civilian targets”. Read the rest of this entry →

Statements: Pursue peace! Resume formal peace talks now!

May 5, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

By ECUMENICAL BISHOPS FORUM

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) has just dashed all hopes for the continuation of the stalled formal Peace Talks between the GPH and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) by terminating the talks as reported in the news early this morning, Thursday, April 25, 2013.

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited as reason for the termination of the talks the supposed ambush staged by the New People’s Army (NPA) on Saturday, April 20 in Barangay Capitulangan, Gingoog, Misamis Oriental. Injured was Mayor Ruthie de Lara Guingona, 78 years old, mayor of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental and wife of former vice- President Teofista Guingona, Jr. and mother of Senator T.G. Guingona. Read the rest of this entry →

Statements: Assert our right to self-determination and the politics of change

April 28, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, opinion, statements

By CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE

Everyday, we suffer the worsening economic crisis in the Cordillera region and in the whole country. Our families face food insecurity daily due to low agricultural production but costly inputs, minimum incomes, high cost of living and widespread unemployment in rural and urban communities. Many of us move to the cities in search for jobs, but end up jobless, landless and homeless. We fall into indebtedness and bankruptcy forcing us to become migrant workers overseas, far from hearth and home. The proffered solution by the Aquino government is the conditional Cash Transfer known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The 4Ps may give minimal immediate financial relief for a few needy families, but this is nothing more than a palliative dole-out measure that creates a culture of dependence and is unsustainable, being dependent on World Bank loans.

We are alarmed at how foreign and local capitalists freely plunder our natural resources. In the Cordillera, 2 giant mining corporations, Philex and Lepanto, have been operating now for several decades exhausting the gold, copper and other minerals in our mountains. Numerous other foreign companies have applications to mine over 60% of the region’s land area. In addition, several energy projects – hydropower dams and geothermal – are planned to be constructed all over the region, without the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of the affected communities and with dubious benefits for the host communities. These extractive industries and projects have resulted in the grabbing of our ancestral lands, facilitated by deceptive and oppressive land laws, including the Regalian doctrine, that designate our ancestral domains as public land. Read the rest of this entry →

Statements: Yearning for freedom and justice for James on his birthday

April 21, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

By ATTY. JENNIFER ASUNCION
VICE CHAIRPERSON
CORDILLERA HUMAN RIGHTS ALLIANCE

1,677 days – 4 years and 7 months.

James Balao, who turns 52 years old today became a victim of enforced disappearance in September 17, 2008. He was a founding member of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) which has been politically vilified as an ‘enemy of the State’, therefore a target for ‘neutralization’. In letters sent to his family prior to his abduction, he said that he feared for his and his family’s safety. He received reliable information that they were under the surveillance of State security agents. James, 47 years old then, was abducted by State security agents in Tomay, La Trinidad Benguet under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and under the implementation of Operation Plan BantayLaya (Freedomwatch). Read the rest of this entry →

Statements: Start a discourse, stop vilification and red-baiting!

April 14, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, opinion, statements

By KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ PARTYLIST

KATRIBU Indigenous Peoples’ Partylist is the progressive party of indigenous peoples upholding and fighting for the rights and welfare of the indigenous peoples, the Moro peoples, and all impoverished and oppressed people in the Philippines. We engage in legal and unarmed struggle. We participate in the elections. We operate within the bounds of the law. Our only weapon is our track record of genuine service to the country’s indigenous peoples since our establishment in 2008, with our concrete program and agenda for the protection of ancestral lands and genuine development for the historically marginalized indigenous peoples.

KATRIBU condemns the political vilification and red-baiting of a certain group Pinoy for Peace, which distributed materials with the following content in certain parts of Baguio City: “HUWAG IBOTO! KATRIBU, HUWAD NA BOSES NG MGA KATUTUBO, KASANGGA NG CPP-NPA!” – PINOY FOR PEACE.” Read the rest of this entry →

Statements: SC hearing on the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995

April 13, 2013 in Featured, mining, national, opinion, statements

By THE PHILIPPINE TASK FORCE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS

We, the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples Rights (TFIP), echo the need to hear indigenous peoplesEvoices in the course of the debate on the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995. The seemingly lucrative revenues to be collected from myriad mining corporations operating in the country have not reflected on the lives of indigenous communities affected by large-scale mining.

The contribution of the mining sector to the national economy and even to employment remains insignificant. Mining and quarrying is the 3rd lowest in terms of value added to the Philippine economy among the 14 major industries. On the other hand, the mining sector had the highest profit margin of 36.9% in 2006 and 38.9% in 2008. Read the rest of this entry →

Statements: Message to PMA Pudang Kalis Class

March 24, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

By SAMUEL ANONGOS
SPOKESPERSON
KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PARTYLIST

16 March 2013

Greetings to all the PMA’s Pudang Kalis class of 2013 and congratulations to the proud parents of these successful new officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially to fellow Igorot Maryam Balais of La Trinidad, Benguet and Kalinga for being the salutatorian.

Being new officers and leaders of the AFP, you will be deployed in your own field of expertise in the different areas of the country. You will soon be leaders of your fellow soldiers and officers. You are expected to be defenders of our country’s sovereignty. With these, Katribu challenges all the new graduates and members of the Pudang Kalis class of 2013 to be true models, leaders, defenders of democracy for our society and to all the Filipino citizens.

We challenge you to be advocates and defenders of human rights, indigenous peoples rights. Surely, you will meet these indigenous communities in your areas of responsibility. You are encouraged to be role models in changing the image of the AFP in the eyes of the Filipino people as the AFP leadership has been tainted with anomalies in the issues of corruption, human rights violations, extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances. While you were trained to obey the chain of command, we appeal to you to uphold what is morally upright and make a difference from a culture of militarism. As leaders, your services are needed most by the civilian populace. We appreciate the senior military officers who have bravely exposed the anomalies of the AFP and pushed the continuing call for change in the military system.

Sometimes, it is right and just to defy commands in times where it is really needed, especially when it comes to the defense of the people. We also urge every member of the Pudang Kalis class of 2013 to adhere the demands of the Filipino people in urging the government to push through the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). After all, it will be the Filipino people who will benefit from it.

Lastly, we urge the new graduates of the PMA to join hands with Katribu Indigenous Peoples’ Partylist in empowering the Indigenous Peoples’ of the Philippines in defending their ancestral lands and for their self-determination, especially those who came from IP groups.

Again, congratulations to the Pudang Kalis class of PMA, and their parents. # nordis.net

Statements: Massive military operations, a ploy to terrorize the people and influence FPIC

March 3, 2013 in Cordillera, energy, Featured, opinion, statements

By LEONARDO PACSI COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY – MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

The Leonardo Pacsi Command of the NPA-MP strongly condemns the widespread military operations in the western towns of Mountain Province and supports the opposition of the people against plunderous and anti-development renewable energy projects under the guise of being “environmentally friendly” and “pro-people”.

From January 30 up to the second week of February, we have witnessed massive deployment of elements of the 54thIB in several barrios and mountains of Sagada, Besao, Tadian, Bauko and Bontoc. Inside the barrios, they encamped in public places such as the barangay clinic of Suyo, Sagada and even forcibly took over and stayed at people’s houses in Balili, Bontoc. They parked their military vehicles and trespassed on the school grounds of the elementary school in Kin-iway, Besao. They also occupied the workplaces of gardeners in Lake Danum at the boundary of Sagada and Besao and set up encampments all over the said agricultural area.

The people of Sagada and Besao including those in other places in MP have complained that the mere presence of these soldiers in such public places and production areas are instilling fear and disturbing the peace and order and agricultural production of farmers and gardeners.

As broadcast live over Radyo Sagada last February 6, 2013, the military arrogantly and in a sneering tone announced that 300 of their troops occupied Lake Danum, which prompted local executives and personalities to ask them to vacate the area because of the complaints of gardeners and the people of Sagada and Besao. The military, in token response, simply shifted to nearby areas only to return after a few days. Their maneuvers to enter and occupy positions inside the barrios were done under the cover of darkness to dissimulate troop movements. This further terrorized the people who were shocked to wake up to swarming troops and military vehicles in their barrio.

These wanton actions of the military are gross violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP). The said agreement prohibits armed troops from occupying public places and using these as barracks, depot and other military purposes. The same is stated by the UNICEF to protect children who are the victims when the military use schools and other public places. The military’s overbearing behavior shows that they do not obey laws, these be the international law on the conduct of war and the protection of children, the ordinances of the local government (LGU) or the traditional customs and regulations of indigenous peoples.

At present, Sagada and Besao are targets of two Renewable Energy (RE) projects owned by big corporations led by local bred executives. First is the Sagada-Besao wind farm, a wind mill project of PhilCarbon, Inc which will cover 624 hectares at the boundary of Sagada-Besao and will generate 15 MW of electricity through a series of 15 giant windmills. Engr. Rufino Bomas-ang of Besao is the chairman of the board of Phil Carbon, Inc. Second is the Layugan Mini-hydro project of the Bimaka Renewable Energy Development Corporation, Inc (BREDCO) in partnership with the Dutch firm, Royal Haskoning DHV, which will cover Barangays Tamboan, Laylaya and Catengngan of Besao . They plan to build a series of four mini-dams along the Layugan River also with an output of 15 megawatt (MW) electricity. Among the executives of BREDCO are Atty. Eston Pooten of Sagada and Engr Rufino Bomas-ang.

To circumvent the strong opposition of affected indigenous communities against projects that will destroy their land, life and resources such as large dams and large scale mining firms, foreign and local capitalists alike in connivance with the national government are repackaging RE projects in the form of mini-hydros, geothermal and wind-powered projects. These capitalists hardsell their projects and aim to deceive the people into accepting such projects by using tags such as “environment friendly”. Another part of their ploy is to use “kailians” to make these projects acceptable. This is the case of Engr. Rufino Bomas-ang, a former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy, who is an executive both in BREDCO and PhilCarbon and former Sagada Mayor Tom Killip who is also a former Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Affairs and who now represents PhilCarbon in the on-going Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process in Sagada and Besao.

In the process, the people eventually lose control over their resources and still suffer damages to the environment and their livelihood due to the pillage, while the companies romp away super profits through imperialist schemes such as carbon trading and the feed-in-tariff (FIT). These mechanisms serve as cover-up for the responsibility of big capitalist countries whose industries have wreaked havoc on the environment which is now causing unprecedented calamities, ravaging the lives and livelihood of billions of people throughout the world. Through the proposed windmill project, PhilCarbon can earn as much as P6.9 million a year tax free through carbon trading and P1.1 billion a year through the FIT compared to the measly P5,133 a year share of each host community.

At the February 7 mass meeting at Langsayan ridge hosted by the NCIP and Tom Killip, the people from the different barangays of Besao clearly registered their strong opposition to the PhilCarbon windmill project. In the said meeting, the NCIP as expected clearly displayed its subservience to capitalist interest by forcing the people into accepting the PhilCarbon project.

It is not surprising that the ongoing military operations in West MP has coincided with the ongoing FPIC process on the windmill project of PhilCarbon in Sagada and Besao. A day before the meeting held at Langsayan, the 54th IB positioned its troops in the said area. This condemnable act clearly aims to intimidate and cow the people into submission. No doubt, true to its mandate and under the Aquino regime’s anti-people Oplan Bayanihan, the AFP-PNP and its paramilitary units continue to serve as “Investment Defense Forces” for foreign and local capitalists who plunder the natural resources of indigenous peoples and other Filipinos through projects such as mining, logging, wide agricultural plantations and now through these energy projects.

The people of the Cordillera have a glorious tradition of fighting against local and foreign plunderers and protecting their natural resources for the common good and the future of the next generations. In this regard, we have to continuously strengthen our ranks, remain vigilant and militant.

We have to steadfastly fight the threats, intimidations and violence of the fascist military of the Aquino regime and continue defending and safeguarding our lands and natural resources that our ancestors and our people fought for with sweat and blood. The NPA supports this fight just as it has supported the anti-Chico dam struggle of the people and the anti-logging fight against Cellophil Resources Corporation in the 1980s.

Expose and oppose the widespread deception and violence of the Aquino regime, foreign and local capitalists and the AFP in implementing energy and other projects that plunder the ancestral lands and natural resources of the people!

Courageously fight Oplan Bayanihan and militarization!
Fight for genuine development through national industrialization and genuine land reform! # nordis.net

Statements: Mensahe niman ja akew ni Ibadoy

February 24, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

Ni KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PARTYLIST

Mapteng tan Esadshak jen Akew ni katribu ja Ibadoy!

Ishanun ni KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PARTY LIST eh pakisaksakey son sikayon katribu ja Ibadoy. Sajay ja tayo naulnongan tan pan – adivay eh mangipasas ni unjon tayon itakshel eh shayaw ni Ibadoy. Niman may tiempo ja tayo ipasas ja wara kitejon mangitudoy ni shinukiyan ni kaafuan.

Wen, katribu ja Ibadoy ensakit shiya dekna ja may – tetneng no ikuwan sha ja sikatejon Ibadoy ket “SHY MANGO” isunga epiliw tan epukaw iray buday tan sanikua tayo. Ngem say kina -agpayso to napnuan ni shayaw eh tunton tan sakripisyo ni Ibadoy. Ebayag ja tayo ka idabdaban iray pansegshan ni emin ja umidi, tinmakshel kitejo sunga inkato niman mabigbig eh puli ja Ibadoy. Agmay dibbak eh tuled tan daing ni aama tan iina tayo ta angken shi dibsho tan pakaistoryaan wara ja naysulat iray inemag ni ipangdon aama. Isunga waray Carino Doctrine tan iman pay nay – eshum shima kadnan ira ni rebulto ni emin ja hero ni Pilipinas shima Luneta park kadnan nen national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Wen say tribu ja Ibadoy ket aliben mabekal say Ibadoy ket mamaket, naanus, naulnos ngem amta ton mangideban ni pansegshan to.

Isunga niman ja tiempo itudoy tayo iray shinukian ni edafuan. Son sikayo jen aama tan iinna sikayo eh mangitushong ni mapteng say ibangon muan eh shayaw tan ulnos ni Ibadoy. Son sikatejo ngo ja aanak tan aaki ja wara niman ipasas tayo eh ayat tayo ni edafuan ja puli bantayan eh buday, tan kaibadoy say agkitejo kabebain ni aanak, apo tan kaafuan tayo. Wen niman ja tiempo eshakel muan iray problema tan issue ja tayo aspulen sakey iya eleksyon shiyay muan ja ipasas tayoy pansaksahey say asen tayoy panmaptengan ni puli, sikami shiya KATRIBU PARTY LIST ket isadshak ja ipakaamta son sikayon emin ja say sakey ja nominee tayo ket edapu ni puli ja Ibadoy ayshi apil son sikatejo anak ni Tublay ja naykamang shi Itogon agi, apo tan anak tayo, sikato si Engr. Vergel Aniceto. Sunga say KATRIBU ayshi apil sikatejon emin.

Sunga niman ja akew, no kitejo mangalsa kasta met no mansada sajay eh mangibensha KATRIBU ja Ibadoy nasaksakey ma. Uwag tayon U-UWAY tan A-DIVAY! Sikatoy mangipakaamta unjon ni Ibadoy tinmakshel ma!

Muan esadshak ja akew ni Ibadoy! Badeg Ja Iyaman! Mabidday kitejon emin! # nordis.net

Statements: The killing of Geertman is extra-judicial

February 24, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

By ROMAN POLINTAN
SPOKESPERSON
JUSTICE FOR WILLEM GEERTMAN MOVEMENT

They have killed Wilhelmus Geertman to silence his shouts against the commercial logging that continuously destroys whatever is left of the already over-logged forest of the province of Aurora and many other forests of the country.

They killed Wilhelmus Geertman to silence his shouts against the wholly irresponsible foreign and local mining companies whose greed threaten Aurora and whose operations had already destroyed many communities in the country.

They killed Wilhelmus Geertman to silence his shouts against the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) project that’s certain to destroy whatever is left of the forest and fishery resources of the province; certain to further deny marginalized peasants, fisherfolks and indigenous people of the lands they have for centuries nurtured and fishing grounds that’s already meager for them.

Just as many industries in the country that are export oriented and import dependent the Apeco shall serve a bounty first and foremost to the Angara political family that’s principally pushing it and the government that blesses it – and the people of Aurora be cursed.

Wim, as Geertman is better known to friends and colleagues in the civil society, a lay worker, was slain on July 3, 2012 right inside the compound of Alay-Bayan Luson Inc. (ABI-Luson), a disaster response center in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga where he was worked for 4 years.

He is a Dutch national who worked for almost 40 years in the Philippines, specifically in Aurora helping farmers and establishing peoples’ organizations and church of the poor of Prelature of Infanta. He was the ABI’s executive director when he was gunned down.

The assassination of Wim is state-perpetrated, an extrajudicial killing (EJK). He was shoved to kneel to the ground and shot at the back by state agents to send a chilling political message to those who are unrelenting in their quest for the peoples’ right to the resources they have cared and made productive and live by the fruits of their labor.

Sad it is that the state has other plans for the province’s lands, waters and forest, which inevitably lead us to believe that it is the state which stood to benefit from Wim’s death. No less than President Aquino had assured the Angara clan who is a political ally that the APECO will pursue.

After conducting a preliminary investigation of the case the Office of the City Prosecutor in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga found probable cause to file a case of “robbery with homicide”, a too common crime that denies the political nature of the killing.

The resolution dated December 27 but received only by Wim’s fiancé Aurora Santiago’s lawyer on February 12 recommended the filing of the said charge instead of ‘murder’ against respondents Harold L. Dela Cruz and Marvin Marsan who by initial information are suspected to be military intelligence operatives and hired guns. They were identified in footages of a community video camera while fleeing on board a motorcycle.

The resolution fell for the dubious police theory that it was not a premeditated murder, unbelievably detached to the relevant and material circumstances surrounding the cold-blooded murder of the activist that Wim was, as he had stepped on very powerful parties.

The resolution mocks the recent plan of the Aquino administration ‘to tighten probes and more effectively prosecute EJK cases’ if indeed the plan is sincere.

The resolution absolves the Aquino government and its state security forces from accountability. Clearly, the murder of Wim – carefully planned and executed – has to be shoved to the sides, and why not?

Wim had received threats and was a victim of red-tagging by the military prior to his death. His killers could not only be mere petty criminals, and EJKs are part of “Oplan Bayanihan,” the Aquino government’s counter-insurgency program.

We from the Justice for Willem Geertman Movement (J4WGM) believe that killing of Geertman is part of the comprehensive attack of the Aquino government against the people’s democratic rights as EJKs remain unabated reaching to 137 cases.

His murder is no different from that of Doc Gerry Ortega who’s pro-environment and anti-corruption tirades against local politicians in Palawan earned him the wrath of traditional politicians. Two of the witnesses for the case have also been killed.

It is no different from the assassination of former Iglesia Filipina Indipendiente Supreme Bishop Alberto Ramento who championed the struggles of the sugar workers of the Cojuangco-Aqino controlled Hacienda Luisita in 2006 at the Bishop’s residence in Tarlac. The DVD player that went missing was enough for the authorities to dismiss the case as robbery.

Geertman’s assassination has caught public attention not only in the Philippines and his native country the Netherlands, but also in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and the Unite States.

In November last year, the Geertman family and Santiago, petitioned the Dutch Parliament to pressure the Philippine government to thoroughly investigate the assassination of Wim, while Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano filed House Resolution No. 2551 urging the Committee on Human Rights to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the killing of Geertman.

We would appeal the resolution to the prosecutor’s office, and it should dig deeper so as to determine the assailants’ mastermind.

Wim’s death – now over six months

We call on the Aquino government to immediately arrest the suspects Dela Cruz and Marsan as well as others involved in the killing.

So they have killed Wim over six months but his ideas shall remain and continue to grow. His flesh that was cut shall continue to render fertile the soil of Aurora that he had embraced as second home, and his blood that was spilt shall water it and refresh it. # nordis.net

Statements: Sagada-Besao windfarm: Giant profits for Philcarbon

February 10, 2013 in Cordillera, energy, Featured, opinion, statements

By APIT MONTANYOSA

The Sagada-Besao windfarm is nothing but another business venture that is designed to rake in giant profits for the investors at the expense of the peoples of the Aplai tribe of Sagada and Besao. Like other Renewable Energy projects, Philcarbon enjoys comprehensive policy support from the national government as seen in the Energy Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 and the Renewable Energy Act (REA) of 2008.

What profits are in store for Philcarbon?

1. Generation Charges. Under the EPIRA Law (Energy Power Industry Reform Act of 2001) or RA 9136 (may be read or downloaded through the internet); the energy industry became divided into three main sections: generation, transmission and distribution. This law also opened the energy industry which was formerly state controlled and owned – to the private sector/big business and free enterprise. This has resulted to the control of 52% of the energy industry to 3 main players: San Miguel Electric Corp; Lopez; and Aboitiz.

Philcarbon is a company whose business is renewable energy. It is a producer of electricity. In the top most item of the MOPRECO bill is a section that says GENERATION CHARGES. This is the amount that is paid to businesses like Philcarbon. It is not a government agency whose primary function is to deliver services to the people. In short, Philcarbons’ purpose as a business entity is primarily profits.

2. Incentives as stated in the Renewable Energy Act 2008 or RA 9513 (may be read or downloaded through the internet)

a. Duty-free or 10 year non-payment of tariffs for importation of materials intended for the business. Tariff is the amount collected by the national government on items that are imported. According to Philcarbon President Ruth Yiu Owen, each windmill is estimated to cost $US 24.2million or Php982.52 million. The national government stands to lose big money which they could have generated through tariff.

b. Tax free carbon-credits. Carbon credits at present is pegged at 3 Euros per credit. Again the national government loses revenue by giving tax holidays on carbon-credits.

c. Priority for the purchase of energy which will be transmitted to the grid, from the grid to the local distributor (in this case MOPRECO). In the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR of RA 9513) “intermittent sources” or energy whose source is uncontrollable, whose output is variable, unpredictable and irregular like wind or hydro shall be given a high priority in the grid in its “must dispatch” policy.

d. Mandatory purchase of a not less than 1 percentage of electricity by distributors/MOPRECO shall be from renewable energy.

e. Feed-in-tariffs (except for geothermal energy) or fixed amount collected from the distributors or consumers for the first 12 to 15 years of production. In the case of wind energy it is Php8.53 per kwh (ABS-CBNnews.com, 07/27/2012) lower than the Php10.37 per kwh expected by the investors. This is a huge incentive for investors as they are guaranteed a Php8.53 per kwh on top of their generation charges and carbon credits. Of course for the consumers this means nothing but an added Php8.53 per kwh on their electric bill when MOPRECO purchases power from Philcarbon.

f. Non-VAT rates on the sale-purchase of Renewable energy.

3. Additional Profits under International Mechanisms such as the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:

a. Sale of carbon credits (3 Euro per credit)

b. Projects considered under clean development.

Therefore, giant profits for Philcarbon while National Government loses revenues from taxes. Why the deal? To lure investors into the country. Of course these foreign investors also have local big business partners who more often are the big time politicians or bureaucrats.

What’s in it for LGU?

Royalty of 1% of gross income (meaning from sales or other income from generation, transmission and distribution and NOT from targeted optimum production) from which %age will go to the following: (rule 7, IRR REA of 2008)
¨ 60% national government
¨ 40% local government unit which will be divided into:
• Provincial LGU 20%
• Municipal LGU 45%
• Barangay LGU 35% host local government units

If the RE project is located in two municipalities or barangays, the division of the royalty shall be computed based on: 70% Population and 30% Land Area.

Of the LGU share, 80% shall be used to subsidize electricity consumption of communities utilizing not more than 100kwh. 20% shall be utilized for local government and livelihood projects. In short, livelihood projects for the Aplai of Besao and Sagada shall be sourced out from the LGU share. Is this sufficient exchange for giant profits and what the people will lose? NO!

What’s in it for the Aplais?

The windmill is not what the people need – they already have electricity purchased from the local electric distributor MOPRECO.

The windmill was not requested by the people – it is being railroaded by Philcarbon and its local Aplai cohorts who are willing to deceive their very own people – for the interest of their business partners.

The Aplai and the rest of the Filipino consumers suffer higher electricity prices as added burden to their already inadequate livelihoods and income.

What’s at stake?

Destruction/pollution of water sources at the Pilao-Langsayan ridge. E-agawa, residents of Sagada Central Zone and Northern Barangays of Sagada have expressed concern over the presence of water sources in the Pilao-Langsayan ridge. Water is already a very scarce resource in Sagada. Water is vital in the peoples existence as it is a necessity in agriculture, health and sanitation and, other livelihood sources related to tourism.

Dormant boundary conflicts will be wakened. This is because the sharing of host communities shall be based on the population and land area per barangay or municipality. As seen in the experience of the IRA, many barangays are in conflict over boundaries.

Removal of top soil during the excavation of foundations for the 10 giant windmills with base area of 400 square meters and excavation to connect power from each windmill to the next and to the power house. Top soil takes decades to be produced. It is most important in agriculture as this holds essential nutrients need by plants.

25 years control and effective ownership of Philcarbon over the windfarm area;

Socio-cultural concerns such as disunity within communities and against communities and families.

What does Philcarbon and their local cohorts promise?

Jobs for qualified individuals during installation of the windmills and its facilities;

Windmills as added tourist attraction;

Livelihood support.

What is the process of getting the project “IN”?

Indigenous peoples have the right to FREE PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT (FPIC) in anything that shall affect their lives, livelihoods and resources. This right is also stated in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act and the United Nations Declarations of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

This means that indigenous peoples prior to approving or opposing any project/activity in their territories should be given correct information on these projects/activities.

The affected IP communities should be consulted above and before the Local Government Units (LGU). But often the business/companies deal with the LGU first. Endorsement is most often granted by the LGU for either feasibility studies, exploration and in some cases endorsement for the actual project implementation.

FPIC as a process is conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

We call on all Aplai of Sagada and Besao to be participative in all these processes at the same time exercise other means of which there voices shall be heard. Utilize all media, dagup ti ipugaw, ag-agong for the debate and education activities in relation to the windfarm.

Call on all local candidates for discussion as to their development programs and opinion in relation to the windfarm.

What is Philcarbon?

According to Ruth Yiu Owen, Philcarbon President – it is a company whose business is renewable energy.

What is their project?

The business wants to install a wind farm composed of 10 giant windmills at the Pilao to Langsayan ridge. The windfarm, at optimum conditions is targeted to produce 15 mega watts of electricity. The giant windmills are estimated to be from 80-100 meters in height (254feet-330feet) or approximately 5 times the height of the new Sagada munisipyo. The blade diameter is at 80meters. The foundations shall not be less than 5 meters (15 feet). The base shall be an area of 20×20 meters or 400 square meters.

What’s to be done?

Oppose the Philcarbon Sagada-Besao windfarm project as it only means greater economic problems for the people and the promise of giant profits for the company.

Participate in all fora to expose the profit driven interests guaranteed by national government policy for renewable energy investors. # nordis.net

Statements: Salsaluduan ti dakkel a taktikal a balligi a nagun-od ti umili ti Mankayan

February 3, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, opinion, statements

Ni SIMON “KA FILIW” NAOGSAN
SPOKESPERSON
CORDILLERA PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC FRONT

27 January 2013

Salsaludoan ti CPP-NPA ken Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF) ti dakkel a taktikal a balligi a nagun-od ti umili ti Mankayan iti panangpasardeng ken panangpatakyas iti drilling operation ti Gold Fields sadiay Tabio, Mankayan.

Iti laksid ti amin a kontra-umili nga inar-aramid ti ganggannaet a kompanya karaman ti naranggas a panangwara iti barikada, ti panangiyuli kadagiti awan-basaran a kaso laban kadagiti lider-masa ken pananglipit kadagiti kabuklan a nagbarikada, napinget nga inlaban ti umili ti Mankayan ti ansestral a daga da kontra iti panagpalawa ti operasyon ti Gold Fields, maysa a dakkel a kompanya ti minas iti ili da a kasosyo ti Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, Incorporated (LCMC). Nasurok a makatawen a nagpursigi ti umili a nangmentina ti barikada tapno lapdan ti panagserrek dagiti ramramit ti Gold Fields ken paisardeng ti panag-drill iti ansestral a daga da.

Daytoy a drilling operation ti Gold Fields a kabaelan na a danonen ti inggana 1,000 metro agpauneg iti daga ket agserbi koma a sumngawan ti pudot manipud iti uneg ti daga tapno makaabante ti panagminas ti LCMC iti daydiay a paset. Adda 75 tawenen a nagminminas ti LCMC idiay Mankayan. Daytoy ket nagresulta iti nalawa a pannakadadael ti agrikultural ken dadduma pay a kadagaan ken adu a didigra iti nadumaduma a paset ti nasao nga ili a kas iti panagreggaay ti daga ken narsuod a paset ti daga ti Barangay Poblacion ken Colalo. No matuloy ti ekspansyon ti LCMC idiay Tabio, Bulalacao, Balili ken Bedbed, sigurado a nalawlawa a daga manen ti madadael ken ad-adu pay a didigra ti mapasamak. Mapukaw to ti ansestral a daga a pagtataudan ti pagbiag ti umili manipud pay idi ugma. Amin a rigat ken sakripisyo nga impuonan ti umili tapno padur-asen dagitoy a dagdaga ket mamimpinsan a mapunas gapu iti kinagamrud dagiti imperyalista. Iti agdama, aglaklak-am ti pagilian ken intero a lubong ti awan kapada a didigra gapu iti nalawa a pannakadadael ti aglawlaw.

Napeggad ken makadidigra la ngaruden ti panagminas ti LCMC iti daga ti umili, awan pay ti maipaay daytoy a pudno a benepisyo kadagiti madangdangran. Inaldaw nga agak-akup ti Lepanto ti minilmilyon a balor ti balitok ken dadduma pay a mineral ngem barya laeng ti kasukat ti bannog dagiti mangmangged.

Ulbod ken allilaw ti ipampannakkel ti Lepanto a panagdur-as nga ipapaay na iti ili a Mankayan. Saan a masukatan ti sumagmamano laeng nga imprastruktura ti nalawa a pannakadadael ti daga ken pagbiagan ken ti mismo a pagnanaedan ti umili. Kasta met dagiti saksakit nga imbunga ti operasyon dagitoy dadakkel a kompanya ti minas. Adayo nga agkurkurang la unay ti ipaspasueldo ti kompanya kadagiti mangmangged tapno masungbatan uray man laeng dagiti batayan a kasapulan da ken ti papamilya da.

Ti panagsardeng ti panagminas ti LCMC ket saan a pukaw kadagiti mangmangged, mannalon, ken dadduma pay nga umili ti Mankayan. Lallalo a mawayawayaan da pay ketdi manipud iti managgundaway a kasasaad. Dakkel ti deposito a balitok, gambang, landok, ken dadduma pay a mineral iti intero a pagilian a mausar koma para iti bukod a pangkasapulan ti umili no maitakderen dagiti nailian nga industriya ken para iti pudno a reporma iti daga. Ngem adu ditoy ket ginamruden dagiti imperyalista a kakumplot dagiti agturturay a dasig. Isu a dagiti kapitalista a pagilian ti mangibakbaknang kadagitoy bayat nga agtaltalinaed tayo nga agrigrigat ken nakurapay.

Dakkel ti balligi a nagun-od ti umili iti panangpasardeng ken panangpatakyas iti drilling operation ti Gold Fields idiay Tabio, Mankayan. Ngem saan pay a nalpas ti laban. Agingga nga adda pay dakkel a deposito ti balitok ken dadduma pay a mineral, nakasarang latta ti pangta ken peggad a serken dagiti dadakkel a kompanya ti minas dagiti dagdaga tayo gapu ta awan patingga ti kinagamrud dagiti imperyalista.

Husto ti takder ti umili ti Mankayan ken amin nga umili iti nalawa a paset ti Benguet, Abra, Mountain Province, ken Ilocos Sur nga apektado iti panagminas ti LCMC a ti laeng solusyon ket ti panangpasardeng iti intero nga operasyon ti nasao a kompanya. Ngem namnamaen tayo a saan a basta-basta isuko ti LCMC ti panaggamrud na iti natural a kinabaknang tayo. Dagiti linteg ti reaksyunaryo a gobyerno ket napanday tapno mas pagserbian dagiti imperyalista. Pinasingkedan ti agdama a rehimen Aquino ti nawaya nga eksplorasyon, produksyon, ken makali da iti kadagaan ti Pilipinas, ekspansyon dagiti sigud ken baro a sumsumrek a gangannaet a kompanya ti minas ken ti nawaya a panangipanaw iti pagilian kadagiti balitok, landok ken gambang. Kasta met a kakumplot da dagiti instrumento ti ranggas ti reaksyunaryo nga estado karaman ti korte ken pagbaludan. Ti AFP ken PNP ket nalatak nga agserserbi kas “Investment Defense Force” tapno salakniban ti interes dagitoy.

Isu a namnamaen tayo nga adu pay a rigat ken sakripisyo ti baklayen tayo. Basar iti bukod tayo mismo a kapadasan, napaneknekan a ti panagballigi tayo ket bunga ti urnos, panagtitimpuyog, ken napinget a pannakilaban tayo. Babaen iti nasayaat ken husto a panangidaulo, organisado a panagtignay ken natibker a pangngeddeng, naipangabak tayo ti panangpaatras kadagiti ramramit ti Gold Fields. Ken, sigurado nga ad-adu pay ti magun-od tayo a balligi babaen iti panagdidinnanggay ken napinget a panagtignay.

Agkatkatay ti LCMC ken dagiti kasosyo na a ganggannaet a kompanya a kasla agmauyong nga aso a mangituloy iti panaggamrud da iti kinabaknang ti ansestral a daga tayo. Isu a rumbeng laeng a tuloy-tuloy a saganaan tayo ti amin a posible nga aramiden na. Importante dagiti panaginnadal maipanggep iti kasasaad ken dagiti panagbalbaliw daytoy, kasta met ti panagadal kadagiti batayan a problema ti gimong a Pilipinas karaman ti husto a solusyon iti daytoy. Kabaelan tayo laeng a sanguen ti dakkel a kompanya ti minas kas iti LCMC ken Gold Fields no dakkel ti bilang tayo. Isu a rumbeng nga agtultuloy a papigsaen ken palawaen ti panagkaykaysa ti intar tayo agingga kadagiti kabangibang nga il-ili. Masapul nga aramaten tayo dagiti nadumaduma a wagas tapno epektibo a paayen ti ania man a plano ti LCMC ken dagiti kasosyo na a dadakkel a kompanya ken salakniban ti ansestral a daga tayo ken kinabaknang na. Isu a rumbeng nga awisen tayo ti napigsa a pannakitinnulong dagiti dadduma pay a sektor ti gimong, a kas iti simbaan, lokal a gobyerno, dagiti maka-umili a kapitalista, ken nadumaduma a progresibo nga organisasyon a mangitan-tandudo iti panangaywan iti aglawlaw ken pagimbagan ti umili.

Manen, saludoan ti CPP, NPA, CPDF, ken intero a rebolusyonaryo a tignayan ti dakkel a balligi ti umili ti Mankayan ken makikaykaysa iti intero a laban para iti panangpasardeng iti makada-dael a panagminas ti Lepanto.

Rambakan dagiti nagun-od a balligi ti umili!
Ituloy ti laban inggana mapasardeng ti makadadael a panagminas ti Lepanto! # nordis.net

Statements: Kicking off 2013 with Victory

January 20, 2013 in Cordillera, mining, opinion, statements

By ABIGAIL ANONGOS
CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE

14 January 2013

We salute the people of Mankayan and the Save Mankayan Movement (SMM) on their long-deserved victory after Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc. (FSGRI) pulled out its drill rig and other mining equipment from Tabeo, Madaymen over the weekend. We congratulate the community, the leaders and members of SMM in not surrendering the fight and sustaining a year of protest despite the cases filed against leaders of SMM by Lepanto and several attempts to dismantle the barricade, which basically served as the common home of community members while asserting land rights.

With the barricade marking its one year anniversary on January 26, 2013, this victory is worth celebrating, with the outpouring of support and solidarity from communities in neighboring Cordillera provinces, Ilocos Sur, other Philippine regions, and even among advocates in the global community.

The challenge however remains for the people of Mankayan and SMM to be more vigilant for this is not where the story ends, as MPSA (Mineral Sharing Production Agreement) 001 still stands and is in the process of conversion to an FTAA (Financial Technical and Assistance Agreement) and the mining equipment will only be transferred to Brgy. Poblacion.

Peace can only resume in Mankayan if MPSA 001 is revoked and Lepanto desists from expanding its large mining operations.

Lepanto Mining is majority shareholder of FSGRI (60%), while 40% is held by South African mining giant Goldfields. The people of Mankayan have spoken. We expect that their stance to be respected, and that Lepanto, Goldfields including NCIP should stop from insisting and enforcing their mining interest.

Agbiag ti Umili ti Mankayan and more victories the rest of the year! # nordis.net

Statements: Register opposition vs Cybercrime Law

January 13, 2013 in Featured, opinion, statements

By IVAN LABAYNE
CHAIRPERSON, COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES — BAGUIO BENGUET

January 8, 2013

A few days before the oral arguments on the controversial Cybercrime Law begin on January 15, CEGP Baguio-Benguet urges the continuing campaign against the law that can make libel “Instagram an insta-crime” in the Philippines.

The controversial law created a buzz last year when it took effect on October 03 and with its inclusion of online libel among the punishable acts, it threatened to make a crime out of mere sharing or liking or deemed “libelous” statements or images in the internet, particularly in social networking sites. The law was then greeted with an avalanche of protests and legal petitions clamoring for the suspension of the law. As a result of the vigorous protests launched by different organizations from various sectors including CEGP, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous vote, issued a Temporary Restraining Order on the much-opposed law.

The Guild sees this as the triumph of the collective action of the different groups of people who registered their protests on the Cybercrime Law. While the Guild commends this decision and more importantly the people who have not failed to show its oppositional stance regarding the issue, CEGP Baguio-Benguet is prompt in reminding that the people must not be complacent after this initial triumph. The battle against the repression of “online freedom of expression” is only beginning and we call on the everyone to continuously act together towards amending the questionable inclusions in the law, specifically the Libel provision, if not the outright junking of the law. With the TRO expiring in February 06 and the oral arguments beginning on January 15, it is opportune to reorganize and once again register our arguments against the law. Scattered oppositions led by various groups can be harmonized into one in order to achieve a more striking formation that will echo the interest of the people and can bring a stronger message to the Aquino regime and its cohorts who are behind this repressive law. As earlier evinced by the SC issuance of TRO, the collective action of the people truly brings forth positive outcomes. This should be the lesson to be put in mind as we continue the battle for freedom of expression not only in the internet among our other constitutional rights.

Repeal Cybercrime Law!
Fight for Freedom of Expression! # nordis.net

Statements: Rigat ti biag, pakabuyaan ti panaglabsing iti karbengan pantao

December 16, 2012 in Featured, human rights, opinion, statements

Pablaak ti TIMEK-PAMALAKAYA LA UNION

Ti Disyembre ket Human Rights month. Bayat nga agpampamarang Ni Noynoy Aquino nga manang respeto iti karbengan pangtao, sabali ti inaldaw nga marikrikna dagiti “boss” na.

Para kadagiti ordinaryo nga mangalap, inaldaw nga ikarigrigatan da nga agbiag. Nakadependar iti baybay nu mabalen da nga apan tumappog. Nu mayat ti baybay, baklayen da met ti kinangina ti langis ken gasolina nga mausar. Nu makatapog da, awan met lang kasiguraduhan nu ada makalapan da. Ayan na ti karbengan ti maysa nga tao nu awan seguridad iti inaldaw nga kasapulan na?

Babaen kadagiti commercial fishing vessels wenno dagiti maawagan nga troll, iti ababa nga panawen ket bumassit ti sida. Awan ti pilien dagitoy nga troll, sugudin ti long line da uray dagiti babassit nga sida. Uray pay dagiti corrals nga pagbalayan dagiti sida ket dadaelen dagitoy. Uray nu agmalem iti taaw, nagduman ti makalapan manipud idi. Nu agtultuloy dagitoy nga commercial fishing vessels, ayan na ti karbengan iti seguridad ti makan dagiti sumarsaruno nga henerasyon?

Iti kastoy nga kasasaad ayan na ti tulong ti gobyerno? Tuloy- tuloy ti panangpalubos da nga ngumato ti presyo dagiti kasapulan. Awan dagiti tulong tapno padur-asen ti panagkalap, inggana tatta mano mano ti kadawyan nga usar iti panagkalap. Iti bangir na, ilaklako ti kabaybayan kadagiti gangganaet nga kompanya babaen ti blacksand mining ken proyekto nga ekoturismo. Dagiti troll ket saan nga mapasardeng uray nu adan ti Coast Guard ken ti Bantay Dagat. Nalukay unay iti panang pataw iti violations ken napnuan iti korapsyon babaen iti panangpasuksok nu ada matiliw. Nu maminsan, dagidiay pay babassit nga mangalap ti tiliwin ti Coast Guard.

Daytoy aya ti gobyerno nga mangitantandudo iti karbengan pangtao?

Iti panangselebrar tayo iti Human Rights Month ikarkarit ti Timek- Pamalakaya La Union kadagiti amin nga umili nga makikaysa, tuloy- tuloy nga ilaban ti karbengan iti nawaya nga panagsao ken panagorganisa, disente nga panagbiag, ken serbisyong panlipunan. Awan ti sabali nga agtignay nu saan nga datayo, awan ti sabali nga panawen nu saan nga itatta. # nordis.net

Statements: All affected indigenous communities have the right to be heard!

December 2, 2012 in Cordillera, Featured, land rights, mining, opinion, statements

By SAVE MANKAYAN MOVEMENT

22 November 2012

On the 15th of November 2012, some 300 of us, indigenous people of Mankayan, were locked out of the second municipal-level Community Consultative Assembly (CCA) convened by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the purpose of obtaining Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) to the Far Southeast Gold Resources application for a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA). The reason was not that the Mankayan gymnasium could not accommodate our numbers. Rather, it was that most of the 300 came from Balili and Bedbed, two barangays of Mankayan that stood to be affected by the Far Southeast project but were being excluded from the FPIC process.

We see no acceptable reason for the exclusion of the communities of Balili and Bedbed. True, the two barangays lie outside the area that will be covered by the proposed FTAA. But likewise do four of the eight barangays whose residents have been included in the FPIC process – Paco, Poblacion, Cabiten, and Colalo. True, these four host the offices, employee housing, ore processing facilities, and tailings dam that will service the Far Southeast project, while the other barangays – Tabio, Sapid, Bulalacao, and Suyoc – will be the sites of the exploration activities and, later, the mine development and operations of Far Southeast Gold Resources. But earth and water adjacent to these sites will be affected by the drilling, blasting, excavation, ore extraction, hauling, waste production, and pollution that will attend the said activities. Particularly vulnerable are the underground water sources of Balili and Bedbed.

The people of Balili and Bedbed, who are not being given a say on the matter, constitute indigenous communities. The majority of the people of Paco, the Poblacion, and Sapid,who have been allowed to participate in the CCAs, are migrant mine employees, operators of business establishments, Church workers, and such.

It should be noted that the people of Balili and Bedbed are kindred to the people of the other barangays covered by the FTAA. In fact, the people of Balili and those of Tabio are practically one community: not only are they kindred; they farm side by side and share many resources in common because many who live in Balili also own and cultivate land in Tabio, and many who live in Tabio also own and cultivate land in Balili.

Among indigenous peoples, kindred are not just concerned with one another’s welfare, they are responsible for each other’s wellbeing. The NCIP ought to be aware of and sensitive to this.

It was the NCIP that recognized the unity of the indigenous people of Mankayan when it approved the issuance of a single Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title for the whole municipality in 2008. And it was the NCIP that initiated the formation of MADIPO, the Mankayan Ancestral Domain Indigenous People’s Organization, whose Balili and Bedbed constituents it turned away at the entrance to the November 15 CCA.

The elders in MADIPO’s leadership have taken the position that anything that affects any part of Mankayan – including the Far Southeast FTAA – concerns all of us who are its indigenous people because Mankayan is a single ancestral domain that we all hold collectively.

The NCIP, Lepanto, and Gold Fields are well aware of this position, and of the stand that all of us in the Save Mankayan Movement have taken with regards the Far Southeast project. We have occupied the Far Southeast drill site since February and effectively stalled the exploration of Madaymen, Tabio. The people of Balili and Bedbed, including members of MADIPO, have been among the most active participants in this effort.

It is obviously because they know our stand that Lepanto, Gold Fields, and their collaborators in the NCIP have tried to reduce our numbers in the CCAs and hauled in company employees to overpower our vote. And it is because we insist on the right of all the affected indigenous people of Mankayan to be heard on the issue of the Far Southeast project that we have been disrupting the CCAs.

We call on all indigenous people of Mankayan to STOP attending the CCAs until and unless ALL the indigenous communities affected by the Far Southeast Project are allowed to participate in them.

We demand that the NCIP disallow people who are not indigenous to Mankayan from participating in the CCAs because THE RIGHT TO DECIDE ON THE FATE OF OUR ANCESTRAL DOMAIN VESTS EXCLUSIVELY IN US, ITS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE!

Respect our right to ancestral domain. RESPECT OUR RIGHT TO FPIC. RESPECT OUR RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION! # nordis.net

Statements: Bonifacio and the 1896 Revolution, an inspiration to indigenous peoples

December 2, 2012 in Featured, opinion, statements

By KATRIBU PARTYLIST — CORDILLERA

“Katribu natin si Andres Bonifacio. Bukod sa nanggaling siya sa uring anakpawis tulad ng kalakhan sa mga katutubo sa bansa, siya rin ay nakipaglaban sa mga mananakop na Espanyol. Ito ang diwa ng tapang na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga katutubong Pilipino ngayon na lumaban para sa sariling pagpapasya at pambansang kalayaan.” This was the statement of Samuel Anongos, spokesperson of Katribu Indigenous People’s Partylist Cordillera, on the commemoration of the 149th birth anniversary of the revolutionary hero.

On November 30, 2012, Katribu Indigenous Peoples’ Partylist gives the highest honor to the Father of Philippine Revolution. The contribution of Andres Bonifacio on the Filipino struggle for national democracy will never be forgotten. His act of patriotism will live in the hearts of the indigenous peoples as an inspiration that change can be achieved in society through collective action.

Bonifacio is a Katribu. He has carried with him the consciousness and characteristic of the indigenous peoples – relentless pride for the Motherland. Even after the Spaniards has institutionalized a dichotomy between the national minority and majority, Filipinos all around the country has united under one banner to fight the hundred years of Spanish colonization. The strength of the revolution has spread in all ethnic affiliations in the country with the inspiration of the 1896 Revolution.

The fight for life, land and resources persists up to this day. National oppression remains institutionalized in state policies such as Mining Act of 1995. To add more, indigenous peoples share similar problems with the rest of the Filipino people: low living wage and contractualization for the common worker, land-grabbing for the peasant farmer, a commercialized-colonialized-fascist education for the youth, a relentless hike on the prices of basic commodities, and militarization and human rights violations. It is a reality that the 1896 Revolution started by Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan remains unfinished. It is a challenge for the indigenous peoples and the rest of Philippine society to face the current problems that this modern kind of colonization heralds. It is up to this generation – the children of the revolution – to unite for the common goal for self-determination and national democracy, and keep the flame of the revolution burning until genuine freedom has been attained.

Long live the 1896 Revolution!
Long live the Cordillerans and the Filipino people!
KAIGOROTAN, LUMABAN! # nordis.net

Statements: MGB should walk the talk on blacksand mining in Ilocos

November 25, 2012 in Featured, Ilocos, mining, opinion, statements

BY DONNA RABANG PETA
CONVENOR, DEFEND ILOCOS

FACT: Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Leo Jasareno confirmed through an article published in the Business Mirror yesterday that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said it has not issued any permit for the extraction of iron-ore sand along the Ilocos Sur coast. (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/regions/3623-mgb-confirms-illegal-black-sandmining-in-vigan-ilocos-sur-towns)

FACT: Dir. Jaserno in an interview with ABS-CBN Patrol ng Pilipino aired last night admitted that mining in the coastal areas, especially near the shore will aggravate erosion. The said operation is even more dangerous when conducted illegally. (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/patrolngpilipino)

FACT: Defend Ilocos filed a formal complaint and submitted evidence regarding the illegal magnetite extraction in the towns of Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, San Vicente and Sta. Cruz on October 18, 2012. However, up to this time, MGB Region I have not taken any decisive action to put a stop to this destructive and illegal mining activity in the province.

While we welcome Dir. Jasarenofs affirmation of our claim, we would also like to point that the director’s admission falls short of the actual intensity of the problem of illegal large-scale magnetite extraction, specifically in Metro Vigan. The director failed to mention, San Vicente where magnetite is being extracted, since 2009, and the most recent offshore and onshore mining in Caoayan.

Defend Ilocos and the affected communities are greatly dissatisfied and incensed with the inaction of his office to address the issue. MGB has no right to claim that it ensures a gpro-peopleh and gpro-environmenth mining atmosphere, while its field offices are sitting idly while mining corporations backed by foreign investors and greedy politicians, extract blacksand and plunder our coast. # nordis.net

Statements: Justice to the Matigsalugs and Tigwahanons

November 25, 2012 in Featured, opinion, statements

By INTERNATIONAL INTERFAITH SOLIDARITY MISSION IN DEFENSE OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES FIGHTING IMPUNITY

We, the members of the International Interfaith Solidarity Mission in Defense of Indigenous Communities Fighting Impunity, call for the government’s immediate response for justice of the displaced Matigsalugs and Tigwahanons who have been in opposition to mining in their communities .This resistance is the reason behind the killing of village and tribal chief Jimmy Liguyon last March 5, 2012.

The two-day fact finding, medical and psycho-social mission held last Nov. 17 -19, 2012 among the Matigsalug and Tigwahanon indigenous peoples who are still currently camped out within the Capitol Grounds of Malaybalay, Bukidnon gathered information on the circumstances surrounding their evacuation, specific human rights abuses on the displaced Lumads associated with a paramilitary group and security forces, and provided urgent health and psychosocial support especially to the women and children.

Among the violations on civil and political rights that the mission discovered was the killing of two other Lumads this year prior and months after Jimmy Liguyon was killed. Abon and Datu Erning Mantugohan were reportedly killed in Slide Dao in San Fernando last January and October this year, respectively. A case of torture, incidents of various harassments and intimidation, and illegal searches and seizures allegedly instigated by New Indigenous People’s Army for Reforms or NIPAR and security forces have also been reported and documented. NIPAR is a paramilitary force attached to the 8th IBPA and said to be pro-mining in the area.

The mission sees the forcible evacuation of the 153 Lumads from their ancestral land because of continuous threats from members of NIPAR and militarization, a gross violation of their social, economic, and cultural rights. Around 15 children have been forced to stop elementary and high school education. More than 10 children have been orphaned due to the killings of their fathers and four children have been separated from family. Sitoy Manlus-ag’s wife and four children are held by the NIPAR. Health and psychosocial workers have also documented the ill-effects of cramped camp settings, and the lack of balanced food and medicine brought by this displacement among the nearly 90 children in the protest camp.

We also express our disappointment on the incident yesterday, November 19, when a certain Lee S. Libertad and other unidentified capitol personnel with orders from the Provincial Administrator suddenly closed the capitol main entrance when mission representatives arrived at the provincial Capitol to present the above results of the two-day activity. Simultaneous with the slamming of the doors was the arrival of at least 50 fully armed policemen who immediately positioned themselves in front of the capitol, aside from those taking pictures and roving in the capitol grounds. We saw this as a clear harassment to stop us from voicing our concerns.

We the mission members, recommend the following:
Justice for Datu Jimmy Liguyon, Abon and Datu Erning Mantugohan!
Arrest Alde Salusad and 14 others!
The Bukidnon police must enforce the warrant of arrest for Nonong and Alde Salusad.
The 8th Infantry Battalion of the 403 Brigade of the Philippine Army to surrender the Salusads under their custody.
Disband and disarm the NIPAR!
Pull-out the 8th IB from San Fernando, Bukidnon!
Repatriate, rehabilitate, and indemnify the victims!
No to large-scale mining!
Respect the free, prior, and informed consent of the lumads! # nordis.net

Statements: Press should to be involved in the fight for justice, press freedom

November 18, 2012 in Featured, opinion, statements

By IVAN LABAYNE
CHAIRPERSON, CEGP-BB

November 16, 2012

On Friday, three years would have passed since the bloody Maguindanao massacre and up to now, no prosecution of any viable suspect has been made. The search for justice continues to move snail-paced. Last year, a key development was November 23 was declared the International Day to End Impunity through the initiative of various media groups all over the world led by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).

However, the Philippine government does not seem to be pressured by the growing outcry from the international community of journalists especially since the death of 32 journalists in the Maguindanao massacre was the chief basis in marking November 23 the International Day to End Impunity.

Media groups in the Philippines, including the CEGP has consistently campaigned for justice for the massacre victims and their families. Last August, Datu Ulo Ampatuan and Ipeh Ampatuan, grandsons of Andal Ampatuan Sr. became the 101st and 102nd suspects to be apprehended.

While these arrests are not what we are ultimately clamoring for since both are mere accomplices and not masterminds of the notorious massacre, we welcomed this feat and regard the mass movement of the mainstream and campus press, the Church and other concerned groups as the principal catalysts in advancing the trial.

On the other hand, the reversion of the Supreme Court last October on the issue of live media coverage is a new downside in the progress of the case. With the High Court disapproving the live media coverage of the dubbed “trial of the century,” several factors like transparency and the public interest are being overlooked.

The resolution cited reasons like “prejudicial effects of telecasting on witnesses” and even on the defendant and the public judgment for its decision. However, at the expense of the comforts of the witnesses and the defendants is the public’s right to information regarding a national issue of great vitality. The absence of live media coverage of this case can dampen the awareness and consequently, the actions of the public regarding the issue.

While the live media coverage is not a primary determining factor to the advancement of the case, it can help in fixing in the memory of the Filipino people that some time in the past, while they were doing their duty to report the truth, 32 journalists were inhumanely killed because of the culture of powerplay that only breeds political avarice, or worse, needless violence.

Warlordism and the political landscape in the Philippines

The 2009 Maguindanao incident is inextricable from the electoral atmosphere that was already forming then approaching the 2010 national elections. We can recall that the massacre occurred when a Esmael Mangudadatu was about to file a certificate of candidacy in an attempt to challenge the Ampatuan’s long reign in the province of Maguindanao. Before arriving at the Commission of Elections, the convoy was met by a band of armed men, and they were savagely murdered in an instant.

After the massacre, warlordism in Maguindanao and other parts of Mindanao was severely highlighted. Not a few key politicians have a vast stock of armaments and hired gunmen. This is rampant not only in Mindanao but also in some provinces in the Cordilleras such as in Abra.

During election time, the armed forces of these politicians are mobilized to harass opponents or coerce the public and demand their votes. Aside from causing occasional deaths, this also emphasizes the culture of terror being put on the general public to which mere speaking, much more opposing, could mean sudden extermination. Worse, those who perpetrate these heinous crimes do not even have the slightest feeling of being fazed as they run free doing their acts and if charged and put on trial, can still twist the judicial procedures to their advantage.

In the end, the electoral process is being bastardized as aside from gold, one seems to need to have goons and guns in order to have a decent chance to win. Thus, the democratic character of elections are lost and it only becomes a game for those who have the funds and the conscience to demonize rivals and sometimes, execute the opposition.

The position of the campus press

On the third year since the horrifying Maguindanao Massacre, CEGP Baguio-Benguet continues to call for justice for the victims and their families and the condemnation of election-related violence which inevitably affects the press as well. This serves as an added threat to journalists who are already beleaguered by criminal libel and other forms of harassments in their professional practice.

Deciding to be a journalists is already a tall order because in doing such, one already commits to the truth above all else and ideally with disregard to whoever’s interests that can warp the reportage of truthful events.

With the perennial pressure exerted on them by the status quo where a few benefits from the travails of the majority, the press must maintain its valiant stance against all designs that aim to limit the truth it can express. At the same time, the press must be actively involved in protesting against designs and acts such as the criminal libel and media killings that hinder in their practice of journalism.

One Maguindanao Massacre should be enough to show us how those who brandish the truth suffer at the hands of those who are greedy of power. To end the impunity, active involvement must win over sitting on the fence and resignation.

Justice for the victims of Maguindanao Massacre! Stop election-related violence and media killings!

FIGHT FOR PRESS FREEDOM! # nordis.net