Manila, Philippines - Residents of Bagocboc and Tingalan in Misamis
Oriental, Mindanao, particularly those affiliated with Pangalasag – a local
organisation of indigenous Higaonons which has been very vocal against the
establishment and expansion of a palm oil plantation in their area, continue to
face injustice at the hands of the government authorities.
Pangalasag members reported that local police force have warned them of
being prosecuted if they join any actions against A Brown Company, Inc. – the
company behind the palm oil plantation in Opol. The local police also took
photographs of the Pangalasag members’ houses, which is a clear form of
harassment to instil terror to those who dare oppose the palm oil operations.
Furthermore, a relative of a Higaonon elder was one of the labourers retrenched
by the palm oil plantation immediately after the company found out his
affiliation to Pangalasag.
According to Jomorito Goaynon, chairperson of Kalumbay Regional Lumad
Organization which has been part of the recently held international fact-finding
mission (IFFM) led by Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Paficic (PAN AP),
“It is very clear whose side the local government of Opol is siding to. A Brown
is also keen on not showing any respect to our indigenous culture and life.”
Sr.
Ma. Famita Somogod, MSM, coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the
Philippines – Northern Mindanao Sub-Region added that “While trampling on the
right to land of the indigenous peoples concerned, A Brown is also pushing the
human rights and fundamental freedoms of the community into the state of
disgrace.”
The
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer also admitted that A Brown
has yet to secure a permit after already operating for two years. Goaynon said
that they fear that the environmental department (DENR) will fast-track the
issuance of the necessary permit to legitimise the plantation’s operation and
eventually displace the farmers and Higaonons in Bagocboc and Tingalan.
PAN
AP calls on the Philippine government to rethink its programme on palm oil
development in the country. “The government should protect the inherent rights
of the people and ensure the free and prior informed consent of the indigenous
people as enshrined in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples. The indigenous peoples’
rights are being marginalised in favour of profits from this industry” says PAN
AP Executive Director Sarojeni Rengam.
Meanwhile, Dr. Romeo Quijano of PAN Philippines stated that “as the palm
oil plantation continues to operate, more and more hazardous agro-chemicals will
be introduced to the area that will negatively impact the lives of the people as
well as the biodiversity of the area.” Since the establishment of the
plantation, villagers no longer use the water from a nearby stream for drinking
and food preparation for fear of being poisoned.
PAN
AP, together with the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC), Peasant Movement of the
Philippines (KMP), Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Sentro
Kitanglad, Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization and Pangalasag recently
conducted an IFFM in the area and the report can be downloaded here: The Real Trespassers (June 2012).
PAN AP also setup an online petition for the concerned
individuals and groups to pressure A Brown and the Philippine government to pull
out the plantation, reinstate farmers and Higaonons to their lands, and give
redress to the victims of human rights violations.
For
more information, contact:
Virgilio Tamayao Jr
PAN
AP
jingo.tamayao@panap.net
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