http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/10001
8 August 2009
MANILA — The Indigenous People’s (IP) fight to keep their ancestral lands from being desecrated and devastated by mining companies have led three Filipino Tribal leaders right at the doorstep of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland as the world celebrates World IP Day on August 9.
Three IP leaders Timuay Jose Boy Anoy, rightful owner of ancestral land in Mt. Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte; Timuay Noval Lambo, Chief elder of the Subanon Council of Seven Rivers in Zamboanga Peninsula; and Peter Dupayat, President of the Didipio Earth Savers Movement Association (DESAMA), and member of the Ifugao community of Didipio, Nueva Viscaya will participate in a United Nation’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) hearing on a complaint filed against the Philippine government by the Subanon community.
The elders charged that their rights to the ancestral domains have been breached by the continuous mining activity, accusing the Philippine government especially the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for being hostile to their cause.
Timuay Jose Boy Anoy had been personally given a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But the IP leader was ejected from his land by TVI Pacific, Inc., a Canadian Mining company that has been operating in Mt. Canatuan.
Timuay Anoy claimed that NCIP connived with TVI in forming a phony tribal council that gave approval for the company to mine in their ancestral land.
“There was no genuine free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) given to the mining operations. Our customs, traditions, and beliefs have been disrespected by no less than the government,” the elder declared.
For his part, Timuay Lambo said the government should be held accountable for its bigotry towards indigenous people.
“The government must tell the truth. We have been waiting for so long. The government’s report which states that there is no discrimination is purely a lie. [It is] fabricated by the NCIP, through its incompetent local officials,” he said.
Dupayat, whose community in Didipio, Nueva Viscaya was displaced by OceanaGold, an Australian mining company that has mining stakes in the area, said the government should honestly implement the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA).
“We strongly demand that the real spirit of IPRA should be implemented and a FPIC be sought”, exclaimed Duyapat.
OceanaGold has been abusing the rights of the indigenous community through militarization, displacements and loss of livelihood. He will raise complaints about their community’s situation, Dupayat said.
Environmental group supports IP leaders
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), a people’s movement, whose advocacy includes fighting for rights of Filipinos against the persisting injustices related to mining, said it will support the project of the IP leaders to explore and maximize international venues where they can assert their rights to pursue the protection and enrichment of their indigenous cultures.
Noting that World IP Day is celebrated globally on August 9, ATM Coordinator Jaybee Garganera said the participation of the three elders at the hearing will bring to light the struggles against discrimination, injustices and militarization they have to endure to keep their lands.
“There are 12 million indigenous peoples in the Philippines and the three IP leaders who will be going to Geneva will speak up, tell their stories and demand that the government should heed their call for their right to self-determination and the United Nations urge and pressure the Republic of the Philippines to address justly, without discrimination, the issues of land rights, militarization, access to justice and protection of indigenous beliefs and practices,” he said.
UNCERD
The CERD is a body of independent experts which monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) by its State parties, which the Philippines had signed on March 7, 1966 and ratified on September 15, 1967.
Having ratified ICERD the government is obliged to regularly report to the Committee on how it is being implemented. However, it has failed in the required regular reporting, and its current report covers only the period of 1998 to 2008. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
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