IPs still struggle for justice, peace

THE struggle for justice and peace among the indigenous people (IP) in Mindanao continues as relatives of the latest victim of alleged extrajudicial killing are calling for investigation on the ambush of Subanen chieftain Timuay Locencio Manda that resulted in the untimely death of his son last month in Bayug, Zamboanga del Sur.

Manda was ambushed in Bayug but survived. His son, 11-year-old Jordan, died in the incident.

In a press conference in Cagayan de Oro Monday, Jennelyn Alajena, cousin of Manda, said the Subanen chieftain is fighting against the entry of mining in their areas while continually working for the issuance of certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT) of the more than 30,000 hectare land composing 16 barangays of Bayug.

Amnesty International (AI) said it also stood by the IPs’ struggle as it urged the Philippine government to investigate violations against IPs in relation to mining and logging as they continually protect their ancestral domain.

Romel Devera of AI said the ambush of Timuay Manda and the latest killing of Gilbert Paborada in Cagayan de Oro City are only “on the basis of protecting their rights as IPs.”

“IP leaders and human rights defenders continue to be targeted of attacks,” Devera said.

AI held a simultaneous press conference on Monday in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Pagadian and Zamboanga along with IP leaders from Bayug in Zamboanga del Sur and Agusan del Sur.