Indigenous Peoples are also known as the first nations. They existed with sovereign status even before the term 'nation' was defined. These ethnic groups have a political and justice system, common culture, language of their own, history and defined territory.
In the Philippines these communities have been superseded and subjugated by foreign systems and powers in many ways. And only in 1997 (exactly 25 years ago today) that the Philippine State recognized through a legislation the rights of the IPs.
Despite the passage of the said Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 or RA 8371, enjoyment and fulfillment of the Right to Ancestral Domains/Lands; Right to Cultural Integrity; Social Justice and Human Rights; and the Right to Empowerment and Self-Governance is far from reach. Ancestral Domains are under assault by corporate destructive and exploitative projects facilitated by the Philippine laws; leaders and communities resisting and standing from injustices are either tagged as rebels and terrorists, murdered or neutralized and divided; access to social services is so low and been subjected to marginalizations and discriminations; and representation and participation in decision-making and governance is manipulated and their political and justice systems are unrecognized.
Like the IP, majority of the Christianized and Non-Moro and Non-IP poor and worker populations in Mindanao experienced inequality and social injustices. Many of the Katawhang Migrante populations are in the poverty line, under threat once they stand for their democratic rights and victims of human rights violations and abuse in many forms. And this is also true in the Bangsamoro civilian populations.
As multiple crises converged in the modern world that has detrimental effects to humanity and the Earth, we are reminded to revisit and learn collective leadership, communal ownership, ecological lifestyle and pluralist democracy of the Indigenous Peoples.
The Mindanao People's Peace Movement - Katawhang Migrante Council express its Solidarity to the IP and all oppressed sectors of the Tri-People. We stand with the IP standing for their rights as people and ethnic communities.
We join the whole social organizations and movements in celebrating the victories and overcoming the challenges.
Let us continue to demand justice for the murdered and threatened leaders and communities!
Let us gain inspiration from the martyrs and the victories!
Our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Datu Ayag Quaimbao and other IP leaders whose lives were offered to the democratic struggles of the Indigenous Peoples and all oppressed. Datu Ayag is a fellow Council member in the MPPM for Katawhang Lumad representing the Ubo Manobo.
Our Condolences to the bereaved families of lives claimed by the typhoon Paeng. All the more that all peoples should restore nature and go away from destructive, extractive and exploitative development paradigm. It will not rebuild mountains and lives but greed and graves.
Pursue the Struggles!
Together let us build JustPeace!
In Solidarity,
MPPM Katawhang Migrante Council
October 29, 2022
#ipra25 #IPMonth2022
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