FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF DAVAO CITY

KILUSANG MAGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS- SMR

PRESS STATEMENT

February 8, 2008

For reference: Celso Pojas

Spokesperson

Farrmers Association of Davao City (FADC)

Mobile: 0910-4364425 Email: fa_dc@yahoo.com

Not only just a scandal, ZTE deal is a crime

For majority of Filipinos who tries to survive on 2 $ daily income or less, a 130 million commission from a “dysfunctional government procurement” is not only scandalous, it is a crime against the Filipino people. And we from the Farmers Association of Davao City (FADC) express our uttermost condemnation of this crime.

Some would just shrug off the poor peoples’ litany of sufferings; accuse us of indolence and ignorance. But while we give every muscle and heart to our labor, we receive in return some loose change from those whose shameless and fearless greed deprive us of a righteous wage and income.

Like the many other open scandals of this administration, the ZTE deal is an eye opener, particularly on the institutionalized crime that pervades in our government system, directly or indirectly committed or tolerated by corrupt government leaders.

The ZTE expose shows the brazen ruthlessness of this regime. Firstly with the Executive Order 464 --- which prohibits "senior officials of the executive department and high ranking officers of the AFP and PNP " including those which in the "judgment" of the AFP Chief of Staff, PNP Chief Department Head and NSA head, are "covered by the executive privilege" from appearing before Congress without the permission of the President--- the president has secured itself from being scrutinized and investigated under due processes allowed in the constitution. In this case, the EO 464 has been used to prevent Sec. Romulo Neri as well as Rodolfo Jun Lozada himself from testifying against the president’s interests.

The abduction, coercion and harassment suffered by Lozada in the hands the authorities further heightened the militarist face of this regime.

Aptly described, the government leaders are like lions, who, by their animalistic cleverness, greed, and ascribed power mangle each other in a wide killing field rich with institutionalized bribery and extortion.

Amidst this situation, we express our support to the openness and regained bravery of Mr. Rodolfo Lozada, the support of the church, as well as to the continued investigation of the senate in order to bring light into this matter. We urge our fellow farmers, the workers, all oppressed Filipino people NOT to keep silent on these criminal acts, instead we must bring to justice these greedy bureaucrats and their running dogs-- the military and police. We call on every one to be vigilant and take the big risk. #

PASAKA

Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao

c/o Diakonia Center , IFI Compound, F. Torres St. , Davao City ; Contact telephone #s: 305-0824; CP #: 0929-2658967

PRESS RELEASE

LUMADS DEMAND LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST MILITARY FOR ABUSES

The 73^rd IB’s admission that human rights violations were committed against the Ata-Manobos in Talaingod, laid to rest contradicting views and reports of non-government organizations vis-à-vis the local government.

“The military’s admission about their crimes against the Ata-Manobo lumads further taints this government’s dignity and adds to their long list of human rights violations. The military’s pronouncement that it will indemnify the victims is not enough, there must be criminal and administrative charges filed against the perpetrators,” said Kerlan Fanagel, Secretary General of the PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao .

In the course of the military operations in Talaingod in January, PASAKA and the Solidarity Action Group for Indigenous Peoples (SAGIP) criticized the military for the massive military operations and consequent military abuses in the Ata-Manobo-populated hinterlands of Talaingod, despite the municipality’s strong denial of the atrocities happening in their area.

Recently, the 73^rd IB pointed the finger at the Army Scout Rangers for perpetrating the abuses complained by the lumads. The alleged Scout Rangers, according to them, have now been reassigned to Bulacan. “Quite a lame excuse to wash their hands, cover up for their men and continue more lies when reports show that they were actually together during the operation they have conducted, it seemed that they keep on slapping their own faces,” Fanagel said.

PASAKA also lambasts the local Government’s lax in responding on the urgent matter.

“Because of the municipal government’s denial, intended to cover up its inefficacy while their constituents are being subject to the military’s harm, the victims of forcible evacuation and other human rights abuses have been made to wait for long,” Fanagel said.

Fanagel said that until now the municipal government of Talaingod denies that instances of evacuation took place.

“If the local government will only take time to know their constituents, listen to their sentiments and fears, they would understand why the lumads did not evacuate to the municipal hall to seek refuge. The lumads know that like in previous years, they would just be accused as liars and tagged as NPA’s if they complain against the military,” Fanagel said.

In a protest rally on February 8, staged in protest against the Government’s relentless militarization as well as in time of President Arroyo’s visit to Davao for the inauguration of the Davao Del Norte - Bukidnon road, PASAKA challenged President Arroyo’s business interests in Talaingod.

According to PASAKA, the massive military operations in January have been timed with the completion of the newly inaugurated road, the president’s visit as well as the declaration of large logging and mining investments in the region. #

Echoing Salugpungan’s* fears, PASAKA stressed that the January military operations as well as the newly-inaugurated road were tailor-made for the convenience of commercial logging operations in Talaingod. Recent news reports also cited Talaingod as a new target for mining operations.

“More than any roads, bridges and other promises brought about by large profit-oriented projects that only seem to undermine our rights to our land, what the Lumads really need is for their rights and peace to be respected,” Fanagel concluded. ###

* Salugpungan or the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon is the local lumad organzation in Talaingod membering more than 65 communities.

For Reference:

KERLAN FANAGEL

PASAKA Secretary General

MEDIA OFFICER: 0929-265-8967

PASAKA

Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao

c/o Diakonia Center , IFI Compound, F. Torres St. , Davao City ; Contact telephone #s: 305-0824; CP #: 0929-2658967

LUMADS DEMAND LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST MILITARY FOR ABUSES

The 73^rd IB’s admission that human rights violations were committed against the Ata-Manobos in Talaingod, laid to rest contradicting views and reports of non-government organizations vis-à-vis the local government.

“The military’s admission about their crimes against the Ata-Manobo lumads further taints this government’s dignity and adds to their long list of human rights violations. The military’s pronouncement that it will indemnify the victims is not enough, there must be criminal and administrative charges filed against the perpetrators,” said Kerlan Fanagel, Secretary General of the PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao .

In the course of the military operations in Talaingod in January, PASAKA and the Solidarity Action Group for Indigenous Peoples (SAGIP) criticized the military for the massive military operations and consequent military abuses in the Ata-Manobo-populated hinterlands of Talaingod, despite the municipality’s strong denial of the atrocities happening in their area.

Recently, the 73^rd IB pointed the finger at the Army Scout Rangers for perpetrating the abuses complained by the lumads. The alleged Scout Rangers, according to them, have now been reassigned to Bulacan. “Quite a lame excuse to wash their hands, cover up for their men and continue more lies when reports show that they were actually together during the operation they have conducted, it seemed that they keep on slapping their own faces,” Fanagel said.

PASAKA also lambasts the local Government’s lax in responding on the urgent matter.

“Because of the municipal government’s denial, intended to cover up its inefficacy while their constituents are being subject to the military’s harm, the victims of forcible evacuation and other human rights abuses have been made to wait for long,” Fanagel said.

Fanagel said that until now the municipal government of Talaingod denies that instances of evacuation took place.

“If the local government will only take time to know their constituents, listen to their sentiments and fears, they would understand why the lumads did not evacuate to the municipal hall to seek refuge. The lumads know that like in previous years, they would just be accused as liars and tagged as NPA’s if they complain against the military,” Fanagel said.

In a protest rally on February 8, staged in protest against the Government’s relentless militarization as well as in time of President Arroyo’s visit to Davao for the inauguration of the Davao Del Norte - Bukidnon road, PASAKA challenged President Arroyo’s business interests in Talaingod.

According to PASAKA, the massive military operations in January have been timed with the completion of the newly inaugurated road, the president’s visit as well as the declaration of large logging and mining investments in the region. #

Echoing Salugpungan’s* fears, PASAKA stressed that the January military operations as well as the newly-inaugurated road were tailor-made for the convenience of commercial logging operations in Talaingod. Recent news reports also cited Talaingod as a new target for mining operations.

“More than any roads, bridges and other promises brought about by large profit-oriented projects that only seem to undermine our rights to our land, what the Lumads really need is for their rights and peace to be respected,” Fanagel concluded. ###

* Salugpungan or the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon is the local lumad organzation in Talaingod membering more than 65 communities.

For Reference:

KERLAN FANAGEL

PASAKA Secretary General

MEDIA OFFICER: 0929-265-8967

LUMADS: The fight against HEDCOR’s hydro-powerplant is never over

Tagabawa Lumads under the Sinūb-badan ka mga Lumad Bagobo Mekatanod (SILUBAME) are not giving up the fight against the Tudaya Hydro-Powerplant, a multi-million project of the Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEDCOR) in Sitio Tudaya, Brgy. Sibulan, Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur.

“We have brought our opposition against HEDCOR’s hydro-power plant before the local government of Davao del Sur. We hope that they would heed our just demands. All we want is for our inherent rights over our ancestral lands to be respected,” said Roger Limokon, SILUBAME Chairperson.

On February 2, 2008, the Peoples’ Consultation, a dialogue with the provincial board of Davao Del Sur was initiated by SILUBAME. Provincial Board Members Molina and Bello of the province’s Committee on Environmental Concerns and Committee on Tribal Affairs attended the consultation. Strangely, the military soldiers also showed interest in joining the event, in fact together with more than a hundred military soldiers, a certain Lt. Renin of the 39^th Infantry Battalion actively participated in the consultation.

In the said consultation Hon. Bello promised that committee hearings will be aptly conducted based on SILUBAME’s complaint that HEDCOR violated genuine consultation processes when it did not disclose to the whole community the adverse impacts of the project. The local officials also said they will review the memorandum of agreement between the community and HEDCOR.

The board members were toured around the almost 10- hectare head-pond being constructed above the Tudaya Elementary School . They cited the experience of Ormoc, Marinduque among others as tragedies wrought by private companies’ interest for profit.

According to the PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao , the construction of a hydro-power plant, within Tudaya falls, a sacred ground for the Bagobo -Tagabawa lumads violates their cultural and ancestral land rights. The project also violates environmental preservation since it is located in Mt. Apo , a declared protected area.

Mel Elio, PASAKA Chairperson said that according to the Technical Working Group which initiated the feasibility study of the project, water shortage after 20 years may arise. Other environmental impacts include the possibility of flash floods, endangering the school children and the communities below. The hydro-power plant will also affect land and water biodiversity and resources, contributed by the wastes from the plant.

During the consultation, more than 100 military elements from the 39^th and 72^nd Infantry Battalion have assembled in Sitio Tudaya. Lt. Renin of the 39^th IB said a detachment of the 72^nd IB will be built a kilometer away from the Tudaya Falls . According to local residents, additional elements of military soldiers were deployed and arrive in their area the day before the scheduled consultation. SILUBAME strongly believe the soldiers’ presence in the area was deliberately done to intimidate the people.

“The militarization of Tudaya at the height of the Tagabawa lumads’ assertion of their ancestral land rights over capitalist interests shows clearly which master the military serves. Instead of siding with the people, they are used as instruments of violence in order to protect the profits of capitalists,” Elio said.

Board Member Bello also challenged the presence of the AFP, saying it should not get in the way of the people’s political affairs. He encouraged the people to report instances of military abuse in the area.*

For Reference:

ROGER LIMOKON MEL ELIO

SILUBAME Chairperson PASAKA Chairperson

Media Officer: 0929-265-8967

PASAKA

Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao

c/o Diakonia Center , IFI Compound, F. Torres St. , Davao City

Tel Number: 305-0824 Email: yutangkabilin@yahoo.com

Press Release

MANOBO TRIBAL COUNCIL WARNS OF ANOTHER PANGAYAO IF MILITARIZATION STEPS UP

SALUGPONGAN TA TANU IGKANUGON, the Talaingod-based lumad group chaired by Datu Guibang Apoga together with council of elders, warns that the traditional “pangayao” or tribal war may ensue if a repeat of the January military operations happens.

In a third open letter sent to the media by Salugpongan, Ata-Manobo tribal leaders of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte denounced the human rights abuses perpetrated against their people during the course of the military operations which started January 7 this year that went on for about two weeks.

According to the Salupongan statement, “nabalaka kami pag-ayo human sa gipatawag nga miting sa mga sundalo sa mga tribal lider ug katawhan diri sa Talaingod nga ila na usab kaming gihulga nga balikan pagsulod ug pag-atake sa mga sundalo ang among populasyon nga sa bag-ohay lamang nilang military operation kami nakahiagom og mga pagpangabuso sa among mga ginsakpan sama sa pagkamatay, pagpanunog, pagpangawat ug pagpangdaot sa among mga lumadnong kabtangan ug pagpamomba… Nabalaka kami nga moulbo pag-usab ang tradisyunal nga pangayao sa among lugar tungod sa gihaling ug gisugdan kini sa mga sundalo sa ilang pagpangabuso ug pagpangbiktima kanamo.”

SALUGPONGAN also decried renewed attempts of local and foreign logging investors to encroach on their territory. Back in the 1990’s more than 1, 000 lumads from Talaingod were forcibly displaced when the Ata-Manobo’s led by Datu Guibang Apoga opposed Alcantara and Sons’ logging operations in the area.

Meanwhile, PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao asked the military to respect Salugpongan's demands, invoking the rights of indigenous peoples to live without any threat on their lives and other indigenous rights stipulated in the newly-adopted United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

PASAKA stated that the long tale of military abuses against the lumads of Talaingod has diminished the Ata's faith on the government and its armed troops.

“What the Philippine military is doing on the ground contradicts the Philippine armed forces' motto which is purportedly to 'win the hearts and minds of the people.' Instead, their brutish and inhumane acts make them enemies of the lumads and the people,” Mel Elio, PASAKA's chairperson said.

He added, “They have lived through a history of colonization and resistance and they have until now asserted their rights to their ancestral lands. Salugpongan's struggle against the evils of development aggression and militarization gives pride to the thousands of lumads and indigenous peoples worldwide who are fighting for their rights to land and life.”###

For Reference:

Mel Elio

PASAKA Chairperson

Manoling Tingkas

Salupongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Spokesperson

TALAINGOD LGU'S DENIAL IS A DISSERVICE TO THE LUMADS OF TALAINGOD
An open letter regarding the evacuation, displacement and human rights abuses committed against the Ata-Manobo lumads of Talaingod


In the past few days, the Solidarity Action Group for Indigenous Peoples (SAGIP) has been subject to unfair criticisms, particularly on the evacuation of the Ata-Manobo lumads in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.

Due to the local government's blatant denial of the incident, SAGIP has been singled out and accused of motivating the evacuation of the Ata Manobos from the Talaingod hinterlands.

As a non-stock, non-proft non-government organization whose central advocacy is the promotion of the indigenous peoples' rights and welfare, SAGIP is bound to facilitate the appeal that has been forwarded to it by the SALUGPONGAN TA TANU IGKANUGON, the local lumad organization of Ata-Manobo lumads in Talaingod composed of more than 65 communities.

SAGIP received the first appeal letter and statement from SALUGPONGAN on January 19, 2008, while the second letter arrived on January 27, hand-carried by three lumad leaders and a Datu from the areas affected by the evacuation.

Salugpongan's statement reported the military operations in the remote areas of Talaingod, the evacuation of lumads from various sitios, the death of a child due to hunger and an old man while evacuating Sitio Sasu, the place of the military offensives that happened last January 13, and other human rights abuses.

As requested by SALUGPONGAN, SAGIP facilitated the victims in filing the complaint to the Commission on Human Rights - Region XI, and then to the Department of Social Welfare and Development on January 21, 2008, hoping that these concerned and duty-bound agencies would respond promptly.

The CHR promised to bring the matter to the urgent attention of their Regional Director while the DSWD alerted the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) in Talaingod and even approved 240 family packs that should be given out to the victims.

But when the matter reached the local government of Talaingod, they were caught unaware of such incidents within their area of responsibility; or as it appears now, they were simply in denial of the evacuation, displacement and human rights violations that happen as consequences of the military operations intermittently raging in the hinterlands of Talaingod.

SAGIP went to the office of Mayor Pilar Libayao on January 28, to discuss relief support for the evacuees with the Municipal Social Welfare Department Office (MSWDO), and to inform the Mayor of the appeal they received from the Salugpongan.

During the said occasion, the LGU through Arlane Batua of the MSWDO, without informing us invited a representative of the military, police, a member of the press, and some Sitio and Barangay leaders. Our staff felt that instead of being a scheduled meeting for discussing the matter at hand and the relief support, the set up was meant to intimidate those who support the affected communities

During the meeting, a few local community leaders coming from the nearby Sitios said that they cannot confirm the evacuation because the areas that Salugpongan pointed out to be heavily affected are far.

Some of their own Barangay Councilors (Kagawad), namely, Kagawad Agon and Kagawad Intot of Sitio Nasilaban, Brgy. Palma Gil reported that based on the initial investigation they conducted, there were actual cases of displacement, and human rights violations in Sitio Sasu such as the military's divestment of some 20 chickens, 2 ducks and the destruction of some houses. The Kagawads also confirmed the death of an old man who died during the evacuation.

But despite this admission, Municipal Administrator Salvador Nepa still hastily concluded that no evacuation took place. Not one of the present members of the LGU during the meeting, not even the Mayor, not the MSWDO representative, not the police and the 73rd IB commanding officer, gave merit to the initial investigation reports that may serve as lead for the calling of a formal investigation. None of them suggested for such a thorough and serious investigation that should be conducted.

For them, it was more convenient to dismiss the lumads' complaints and demands as lies. 2nd Lt. Artur Allauigan of the 73rd IB also out-rightly said during the meeting that such demand letter came from the New Peoples' Army.

Given this, the Municipal Government of Talaingod should not wonder why they were the last agency that the lumads approached for help. The Municipal Government of Talaingod should not blame SAGIP or other NGO's for being the first to be approached, because as far as this situation is concerned, the municipal government's denial, the terror-tagging of Salugpongan and the refusal to act on the matter apparently makes it a party to the major cover up being played by the military to hide the atrocities committed against the lumads of Talaingod. #

For Reference:

(Sgd.)

Prof. Myfel Paluga

SAGIP Chairperson

* You may also contact him at Dept. of Social Sciences- UP Mindanao Tel Number: 082-2930863 local 204