PHILIPPINES: Massive displacement of indigenous peoples due to aerial bombardment

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-071-2015
ISSUES: Child rights, Land rights, Right to food, Violence against women, Women's rights,

Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the aerial bombardment in the mountains of Sarangani province, Mindanao due to military operations, resulting in massive displacement of indigenous Blaans in the area. Soldiers also threatened and forced confessions from villagers on locations of rebel groups in their community. 

CASE DETAILS: (Based on information received from Kafye de Lagad and Kahugpongan sa mga Lumad sa Halayong Habagatang Mindanao (KALUHHAMIN), an indigenous people’s organization; and the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN)

On March 27, 2015 360 families or more than 2,000 individuals were displaced due to military operations conducted by the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in uphill villages of Malapatan and Alabel, Sarangani Province.

The soldiers forced civilians to ‘confess’ the rebel camp location of the New People’s Army. If they refused to cooperate, the military would accuse them of either being rebels themselves, or rebel informants. The aerial bombardment in the Blaan communities has destroyed their crops—banana, cassava, vegetables and coffee—upon which they make their livelihood.

Indigenous B’laan evacuees descending from their mountain villages/Photo by KALUHHAMIN and Karapatan

On the evening of May 18, 100 families or more than 400 individuals from the remote village of Upper Suyan and Barangay (village) Pagasa, Alabel, Sarangani province had to evacuate to Sofan Elementary School, in the same town. The villagers feared they would be killed in the bombardments if they do not evacuate.

Some of the evacuees moved to United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) compound in General Santos City, where local NGOs provided for some of their immediate needs, including trauma counseling, especially for children. Some women and children fell sick. One of the women, Meling Bagit, mother of a 10-day old baby, suffered bleeding, and another gave birth on May 21 in the evacuation center. Many pregnant and lactating mothers are showing signs of trauma.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

On June 10, 2015 at 9 a.m., a dialogue was conducted between civilians, local government officials of Sarangani province, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB).

During the dialogue, the villagers asked: Have the military left our place? (Wala na bay militar sa among gipuy an?). Do we have assurance that we will be secured in our community? (Naa bay klaro na siguridad sa amoa na mga Blaan didto sa among gipuy an?). But their concerns were not categorically answered.

In fact, local groups have discovered that the aerial bombardment and military operation in the area could be due to the alleged plan by the local government units and three mining corporations—the Trans Multi Corporation, LOOC Mining Corporation and the Legenda Mining Corporation—to conduct mining in the area. Rich in minerals, the area covers 16,096 hectares. 

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case.

The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteurs on the rights of indigenous peoples, in the field of cultural rights, on the right to food and on minority issues.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear __________

PHILIPPINES: Massive displacement of indigenous people due to military aerial bombardment

Number of affected persons: About 360 families or over 2,000 individuals belonging to indigenous Blaans in Malapatan and Alabel, Sarangani Province

Alleged perpetrators: 73rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army

Date of incident: from March 27, 2015 to present

Place of incident: Malapatan and Alabel, Sarangani Province

I am writing to raise the concern on the situation of indigenous people in Sarangani province. On March 27, 2015 some 360 families or more than 2,000 individuals were displaced due to military operations conducted by the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in uphill villages of Malapatan and Alabel, Sarangani Province.

The soldiers forced civilians to ‘confess’ the rebel camp location of the New People’s Army. If they refused to cooperate, the military would accuse them of either being rebels themselves, or rebel informants. The aerial bombardment in the Blaan communities has destroyed their crops—banana, cassava, vegetables and coffee—upon which they make their livelihood.

On the evening of May 18, 100 families or more than 400 individuals from the remote village of Upper Suyan and Barangay (village) Pagasa, Alabel, Sarangani province had to evacuate to Sofan Elementary School, in the same town. The villagers feared they would be killed in the bombardments if they do not evacuate.

Some of the evacuees moved to United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) compound in General Santos City, where local NGOs provided for some of their immediate needs, including trauma counseling, especially for children. Some women and children fell sick. One of the women, Meling Bagit, mother of a 10-day old baby, suffered bleeding, and another gave birth on May 21 in the evacuation center. Many pregnant and lactating mothers are showing signs of trauma.

There are reports that one possible motive for the aerial bombardment is due to mining plans in the area, which is rich in minerals. I urge you to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into this matter. As you are aware, the indigenous Blaans are considered vulnerable groups requiring state protection. Those involved in threatening and forcing confessions from the villagers must be identified and prosecuted for their criminal acts.

I trust that you will take appropriate action in this.   

Yours sincerely,

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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: 

1. Mr. Benigno Aquino III 
President 
Republic of the Philippines 
Malacanang Palace 
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel 
Manila 1005 
PHILIPPINES 
Fax: +63 2 736 1010 
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80 

2. Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales 
Commission on Human Rights 
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue 
U.P. Complex, Diliman 
Quezon City 
PHILIPPINES 
Fax: +63 2 929 0102 
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188 
E-mail: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com 

3. Ms. Leila de Lima 
Secretary 
Department of Justice (DOJ) 
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura 
1004 Manila 
PHILIPPINES 
Fax: +63 2 521 1614 
E-mail: soj@doj.gov.ph

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme 
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)

Document Type : Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID : AHRC-UAC-071-2015
Countries : Philippines,
Issues : Child rights, Land rights, Right to food, Violence against women, Women's rights,