NEWS RELEASE

October 24, 2009

Talaingod deaths rising --- KATRIBU PARTYLIST


Talaingod, Davao Del Norte --- The Katribu Partylist raised alarm and called for immediate intervention over the rising number of deaths as a result of epidemic and hunger in the militarized hinterlands of this town.

The Katribu Partylist who went with peace advocates in an Interfaith Peace and Mercy Mission in Sitio Nasilaban from October 21 to 22 documented more than 43 deaths that have occurred from August to October this year in various villages in Talaingod. The Mercy Mission provided medical assistance to nearly 300 Ata-Manobo lumads.

KATRIBU partylist coordinator Russ Ybanez said an Ata-Manobo chieftain told them that 17 of his fellow villagers died due to hunger and illness when they were forced to evacuate for two consecutive times, on May and August this year. The Lumads fled from the wartorn areas where the 60th IB soldiers campaigned to have them become members of the Barangay Defense Force or Bagani forces.

“Sukwahi sa kultura sa lumad ang BDS. Makaapekto kana sa amoang pag-uma. Dili mi mosugot niana,” said Datu Ebong Gongotan, village datu in Sitio Bugni.

Acccording to Datu Gongotan, 47 families from Sitio Bugni evacuated on the last week of May this year after some unidentified military elements killed a certain Kopis, a 15 year old Ata-Manobo kid who was accused by the military of being an NPA.

They then sought refuge at Sitio Nasilaban, but the arrival of the 60th IB on August 15 forced the Lumads to go evacuate to the forest without any food supplies or certainty of a shelter just to evade the BDS recruitment.

“A clear act of desperation and cowardice, paramilitary recruitment directly uses civilians as frontliners and pawns in the military’s war,” Ybanez said.

Other areas where residents evacuated due to the September military operations are the villages of Sambulongan (60 families), Labuo ( 47 families), Laslasakan (36 families), Nalubas (37 families), Nabalabag( 12 families), and Sasu ( 20 families). Totaling to 232 families or 1392 individuals.

KATRIBU also said that the creation, maintenance of paramilitary forces or similar groups is categorically prohibited in international humanitarian laws and the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Laws (CARHRIHL) that uphold the protection of the civilian populace from hostilities.

KATRIBU, a lumad sectoral group aiming to represent the indigenous peoples’ concerns in Congress on 2010 called for the immediate intervention of the LGU in the area, particularly for a comprehensive medical assistance for the villagers of Talaingod.

It also urged for the immediate investigation of the military’s policy on paramilitary formation and seeks to dismantle the Barangay Defense System. ###

For Reference:


Russ Ybanez
Youth Coordinator
Katribu Partylist

PRESS RELEASE

October 23, 2009


KATRIBU hits 60th IB for forcibly recruiting lumads into BDS, Bagani in Talaingod


Talaingod, Davao del Norte—Katribu Partylist along with the other peace advocates strongly condemned the continued forcible recruitment of Ata-Manobos to become members of the Barangay Defense System (BDS) or Bagani Force by the 60th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army led by Lt. Col. Adriano Perez in various villages in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.


Cases of human rights abuses were documented by members of the Interfaith Peace and Mercy Mission (IPMM) which is being conducted simultaneously in areas gravely affected by militarization in Maragusan and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, Banganga and Lupon in Davao Oriental and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.


According to Datu Sumpo Taosan, Salugpongan leader and council member of Katribu Partylist (S)ince August 15 until the last week of September, military troops under the 60th encamped in the villages of Dulyan, Nasilaban, Sambolongan, Laslasakan, and Banwalay.


“Sa ilang pagkampo sa mga komunidad pugos silang ga-recruit kanamong mga Lumad nga moapil ug mamahimong mga myembro sa BDS o diba kaha sa Bagani, gani adunay upat ka higayon nga gipatawag kaming mga residente aron moapil sa dagkong pulong-pulong nga gipahigayon sa mga military ug hulgaon kami nga kung dili kami moapil sa BDS o Bagani buot pasabot mga supporter kami sa mga NPA,” Datu Taosan said.


Base on the testimonies of the victims, the Lumads were forced to go on duty from 9pm to 4am and to serve as BDS and Bagani. They were commanded by the military led by Lt. Col. Perez, who ordered them to campaign against the NPA in house to house sorties.


“Pugos na lang gyud nga mituman ang among mga sakop sa gisugo sa mga sundalo nga mag duty isip BDS o Bagani bisan walay tulog ug gutom. Wala man gani namo nasabtan ang tumong apan mi-duty na lang tungod kay mahadlok kami nga pasanginlan nga kami kuno mga tig suporta sa NPA. Nahadlok kami nga pamatyon kami sama sa gihimo nila kang Kapis Butod nga gipatay nila tungod lang sa pasangil nga supporter kini sa NPA bisan nga siya usa ka inosenteng sibilyan,” Datu Taosan added.


Presently, there are already 20 members of BDS in Nasilaban village and 11 members in Banwalay village. Both villages are situated in Brgy. Palma Gil, Talaingod.


According to Russ Ybanez, youth coordinator of Katribu Partylist and documentor of the IPMM team said “due to the forcible recruitment and continued military operations launched by the 60th IB, there were at least 248 families from villages of Laslasakan, Labuo, Sasu, Bugni, Sambolongan, Nalubas and Nabalabag in Brgy. Palma Gil, Talaingod who were forced to vacate from their communities and who went into hiding; consequently they suffered hunger in the process.


“After the Fact Finding Mission led by Katribu in September, military from 60th IB had temporarily pulled out from the affected villages but in October 17 a company of military troops led by Lt. Col. Perez came back to the villages and continued recruiting Lumads into the BDS or Bagani. They also plan to put up detachment in Tibukag village despite the residents’ opposition,” Ybanez said.


Katribu patylist reiterated its calls for the pull out of military troops in the Lumad communities, an end to all atrocities of the 60th IB and the 10th Infantry Division against the Ata Manobo and Lumad people., and justice be served to all victims of human rights violations.###



For reference:


Russ Ybanez
Youth Coordinator
Katribu Partylist


Datu Sumpo Taosan
Chieftain/ Leader
Salupongan ta Tanu Igkanugon

MEDIA RELEASE


IN CELEBRATION OF THE TRIBAL FILIPINO WEEK

Indigenous People & Advocates Form KATRIBU PARYTLIST


DAVAO CITY-- Land, Life,and Rights. These were the words significant for the indigenous people and advocates who were gathered today (Oct. 9) to launch the newly-formed partylist group KATRIBU. The launching was also timed for the annual observance of the Tribal Filipino Week.


"Amidst the threats to our ancestral lands brought by development aggression and relentless militarization, the danger of climate change due to the plunder of our land and resources, and the obliteration of our identity, our calls to defend our land, life and rights are more urgent than ever," said Kerlan Fanagel, Katribu Partylist Regional Coordinator.


The launching was held at the Salugpongan Hall, UCCP- HARAN, Fr. Selga St., Davao City and attended by some 50 members and supporters. The Katribu Partylist was formed in Metro Manila last August 9, 2008.


The Katribu sees its entry into the mainstream politics as a venue to promote the interest of the IPs through legislative reforms and campaigns.


Fanagel noted that "With the multi-national corporations' greed to loot our lands with their so-called development projects, We Lumads have been displaced and have become squatters in our own land. Projects such as mining, dams, plantations for jathropa, bananas, palm oil, coconuts and pineapple, have only favored the elite and the foreign big businesses."


He also said that "twin to the so-called development is the militarization of our communities." Intensified military operations in the hinterland communities is abetted with the Investment Defense Force and the National Internal Security Program for Indigenous Peoples.


Militarization has resulted to displacement, harassments, threats, forced recruitment for Task Force Gantangan, and physical assault. The worst is the extra-judicial killing Lumads leaders namely Ludenio Monzon and Marcial Latiban of Davao Oriental, Agustin Cumawas in North Cotabato, Datu Dominador Diarog of Kahusayan, Tugbok District, and Datu Aladino Badbaran of Agusan del Sur.


"Instead of protecting the welfare of the indigenous peoples, the Arroyo government has sold our patrimony through the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995 and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA)," Katribu lamented.


The groups also said that Lumads continue to fall prey to discrimination and are deprived of the much-needed social services by the state.


"Thus, we in KATRIBU Partylist are emboldened to carry on this urgent call to protect our communities, our rights, our resources and patrimony for the welfare of the Lumads and the nation. We carry on this legacy of the indigenous people to defend our ancestral land and the right to self-determination. Furthermore, we believe it is time to put our stake in the political arena, by asserting our rights and voice in the party-list system," Katribu said in their yesterday's declaration.


The Katribu also declared that: "On this significant occasion, we in KATRIBU Partylist strive to unite our collective voice, to pursue our long dream of a just society where the rights of the indigenous peoples along with other basic sectors are realized to the fullest.


We shall draw from the support of our communities, along with those in solidarity with the Lumads and environment, to push for reforms to serve the interests and protect the rights of the poor and marginalized sectors. With that, we particularly call for ways to stop the plunder of our resources, ask for the repeal of laws that tolerate this plunder, and seek repatriation to communities that have been damaged by these activities.


For the defense of our rights, we shall pursue all avenues to attain justice to victims of militarization, especially here in Southern Mindanao where the 10th Infantry Division of the AFP has wreaked havoc to our communities with the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya 2 and the NISP-IP. We call for the pull out of military troops in communities, and an end to forced recruitment of Lumads to paramilitary forces.


We shall unite the Lumads and other sectors with similar ideals of promoting the rights and welfare of the marginalized. This is a great and formidable task for the indigenous peoples, but we believe that in our unity comes the strength to take on this challenge, guided by our history of struggle and the vision of a just society for us all." ###


For Reference:


KERLAN FANAGEL
Regional Coordinator
Katribu Partylist



DULPING OGAN
National Vice Chairperson
Katribu Partylist

PRESS RELEASE


YOUTH GROUPS SUPPORT KATRIBU PARTYLIST


Davao City-- At least 50 youth leaders vowed to support the newly-launched KATRIBU, a partylist group for indigenous people saying that "it is high time for Congress to hear the voice from the Lumads and other tribes in the country."


Katribu Partylist aims to win three seats in Congress during the the 2010 election to represent and fight for the issues on the preservation and protection of ancestral doman and the environment.


Various youth groups led by Kadumahan Youth, a city-wide school based IP youth and advocates' organization, declared their support to KATRIBU Partylist as one of it's major resolutions in a Mindanao-wide consultation on Indigenous Youth held here today. The youth leaders representing indigenous peoples and advocates' organizations, student councils, and student publications gathered at the Salugpongan Hall of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines for a consultation on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change.


"We believe that the youth as the catalyst for change can voice out our common vision of protecting the Lumads and supporting their right to ancestral domain and the preservation of their culture," said Russ Angelo Ybanez, Kadumahan spokesperson and a delegate to the said consultation.


Ybanez added that "(T)he Katribu will complement in the struggle for justice for the indigenous people who have long been victimized by relentless militarization, evacuation, extra-judicial killing and landgrabbing as a result of development aggression."


Ybanez also said that "Arroyo government's plunder of natural resources poses alarming impact to climate change which will eventually result to more disasters just like what happened in Luzon".


The consultation was held coinciding with the celebration of the Tribal Filipino Week. Advocates and representatives from the different government agencies, peoples organizations, non-government organizations and various schools also participated in the first part of the said event. They expressed concern over the militarization and encroachment of multi-national corporations in lumad areas.


Leaders from PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao and KALUMARAN graced the event challenging the indigenous youth and advocates to be involved in solving the pressing issues of our times, stressing on how these problems link each and every sector of the society.


“It is inspiring to see young leaders having the time, commitment and passion to learn from the issues confronting the Lumads and to join in the struggle for the rights of Lumads," said Dulping Ogan, National Vice Chairperson of Katribu Partylist.


During the consultation's solidarity ritual, youth leaders gave soil, seedlings, musical instrument, ballpens and liyang (lumad basket) to the lumad leaders.##





For Reference:


Russ Angelo Ybanez

Spokesperson

Kadumahan Youth

Press Release

September 29, 2009


Katribu condemns return of 'berdugo' AFP CO, Talaingod paramilitary recruiment


Katribu Partylist, a lumad sectoral group, expressed alarm over the recent installation of Col. Eduardo del Rosario as the new 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade Commander due to his bloody record of perpetrating scores of human rights violations against Lumads and peasants in Davao city and nearby provinces. It also scored Del Rosario's role in enticing Lumads in Talaingod to be recruited as part of Bagani force, a paramilitary group.


The group said the installation of Col. Eduardo del Rosario as the new 1003rd Commander would surely mean escalation of human rights violations in lumad and farmer communities, him being a' berdugo' during his time as Task Force Davao Chief and 73rd IB Commander.


“In 2001, del Rosario as the former 73rd IB Army Chief was infamous in organizing the dreaded lumad vigilantes called Alamara and Bagani which resulted to massive human rights abuses, terrorizing lumad communities through pitting lumads versus lumads and pitting lumads versus visayan settlers,” said Kerlan Fanagel, Katribu Partylist Regional Coordinator.


Ata-Manobo datus in Talaingod had recently scored military abuses in the area, and had also urged the Commission on Human Rights and the local government to swiftly act on their demand for a troops pull-out. The military's 1003rd under Del Rosario had been recruiting the Lumads to become members of the Bagani Force, an apparent rehash of the dreaded Alamara.


According to Fanagel “It was under the leadership of Col. Del Rosario when soldiers of 73rd IB perpetrated the cold-blooded Pangyan Massacre last April 15, 2002 in Pangyan, Marilog, District, Davao City which killed peasant leader Apolonio 'Tatay Poloy” Enoc along with 5 other innocent civilians, and the youth camp raid in Malagos in 2003 which traumatized more than 30 youth and children.”


“During his stint as Task Force Davao Chief, del Rosario instigated massive human rights abuses in the city and have sown terror in the lumad communities such as Paquibato and Malabog Districts in cahoots of his lumad cohorts Joel Unad and Ruben Labawan," Fanagel said.


Fanagel added that Unad and Labawan are until now facing issues of encroaching and grabbing lands from lumads and visayan settlers alike.


The group said that there is no reason for the military to be proud of Col. Del Rosario's baptismal as “Datu Limbotong” as it is nothing but a defilement to the lumad culture.


“With del Rosario back in Davao Region, we expect the worst for our fellow lumads.


But we vow to double up our defense against militarization and continue our struggles for the respect of lumad's rights and welfare,” Fanagel stressed. ###



For reference:



KERLAN FANAGEL

Regional Coordinator

KATRIBU PArtylist