Mining linked to militarisation of Mindanao
Published by MAC on 2008-05-11Petition Demanding the Stop of Military Operations in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province Submitted by Victims of Human Rights Violations & Farmers and Lumad Residents of New Bataan
5th May 2008
For our Children, Our Future, Our peace
To: HON. LORENZO L. BALBIN
Mayor
Municipality of New Bataan
Compostela Valley Province
Thru: SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD
Municipality of New Bataan
Facilitated by: BAYAN MUNA PARTYLIST and the New Bataan Farmers Association, Taytayan Farmer's Association, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, ACCESS-PANALIPDAN, and PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao
We, farmers, Mandaya and Mansaka lumads residents of New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province demand the restoration of peace in our communities amidst the alarming and massive state of military operations that have already caused grave endangerment on our lives.
Our lives have already been destitute at it is with landlessness and hunger reigning in our communities; with our tables almost without food and our children, without even the benefit of education. Hence, the current state of unpeace in our communities, the turning of our homes into launching pads of unjust war, make our lives even more dehumanizing.
At the start of April this year, military operations were launched in New Bataan by the composite military units under the 28th, 30th, 72nd, 67th Infantry Battalions, Scout Ranger and Special Force formerly based in Sitio Spur Dos, Brgy. Aliwagwag in Cateel town, province of Davao Oriental.
Reported areas (by residents) directly affected by the military operations are Sitio Taytayan in Brgy. Andap, Sitio Tangaan, Sitio Macupa, Biangonan, Sitio Binantal, Sitio Cabetian, Sitio Uduan, in Brgy. Manurigao,
We are alarmed that Sitio Taytayan is being used as a military camp. The thick presence of the military troops has spread fear among the residents. The use of civilian homes and communities for military purposes as we know endanger only the civilians and we fear for the safety of the children most.
In some areas, particularly in the Mandaya lumad - populated Barangay Manurigao, forcible evacuations happened for fear of the army helicopters and the arrival of a big number of military troops.
The documented number of displaced families in Sitio Macupa, Biangonan, Binantal, Cabetian and Uduan in Brgy. Manurigao alone is around 64 families or about 332 individuals. Also in Purok 2, Brgy. Manurigao, another 42 families were forced to leave their homes and farms and stay in their relatives' homes in the town centers.
Other alarming cases of human rights violations were the divestment of properties such as the 4 grams of gold forcibly taken from a resident of Sitio Pigbasagan. With the strong military presence in our communities, harassment, threat and intimidation are also prevalent with some of us being accused as being rebels or being their supporters.
At times when the victims or the people are hesitant to speak for fear of being subject to military might or pressure, a few of us would have to stand up for what is right for the sake of children, and for their future.
We know that our leaders and all the people of New Bataan are one with us in the quest for peace and justice. Hence we are calling on all leaders in government, our fellow from New Bataan, the church, all advocates of peace and human rights to join us in the call for the stop of the military operations in New Bataan and justice for all those whose rights have been violated.
We hope that the courage we have gathered now through our unity, would also encourage all people in similar situations to stand for their rights and for peace for the sake of the children.
Signed by the residents of New Bataan, province of Compostela Valley.
Investment Defense Force swarming over mineral-rich areas; primary culprit behind the flooding of human rights violations in ComVal- DavOr areas
PRESS STATEMENT
7th May 2008
Reference:
Fr. Medardo Salomia
Vice-Chairperson
PANALIPDAN!- Southern Mindanao
The heightening militarization in the rural areas of Compostela Valley Province and Davao Oriental, provinces which are major mining, logging and biofuel sites in the country is but part of the Investment Defense Force (IDF) which was formed by the Macapaga-Arroyo government early this year to secure the country's vital investments. The massive military deployment and operations of composite units of 28th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (IBPA), 72nd IBPA, 67th IBPA, 30th IBPA, Special Forces, and Scout Rangers Batallion are the actual implementation of the IDF to facilitate the entry and/or to protect the interests of foreign large-scale mining and pesticides-dependent monocrop plantation companies.
Many indigenous people, particularly Mansaka and Mandaya, and peasant settlers are displaced by militarization and development aggression. Some of them were hurt physically and tortured mentally in the course of military operations.
At the first quarter of this year, around 410 families were forcibly displaced from Baganga and Cateel towns in Davao Oriental. At the start of the second quarter, around 104 Mandaya and Mansaka families have already been victims of forcible displacement/evacuation in New Bataan Compostela Valley. In Brgy. Mangayon Compostela town, an Ata-Matigsalug Village complains of cases of torture, physical injuries and harassment against 5 residents of which 2 are children.
The same community complained of military encampment in civilian houses which is a direct violation of international humanitarian laws.
Appallingly, state-perpetrated human rights violations and atrocities heighten as mining companies of Transnational/Multinational Corporations continue to threaten the communities and fragile surrounding ecosystems - Key Biodiversity Areas - Mt. Kampalili-Puting Bato Range and Mt. Agtuuganon-Pasian Range found in these provinces.
Several mining applications, claims and reserves of the TNCs/MNCs in the area are presently threatening destruction of ecosystems. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acted like private armies of plunderers are backing this up to the detriment of Mother Nature and the people. But resistance of the peasants, indigenous peoples, and various sectors will continue. Hence we from PANALIPDAN!-SMR denounce the ongoing militarization and development aggression which has taken a toll on civilian rights and the environment. We demand the stop of militarization and development aggression in ComVal Province and Davao Oriental, the stop of the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya 2 and Investment Defense Force. We are calling for the pull-out of the 28th IBPA, 30th IBPA, 72nd IBPA, 67th IBPA, Special Forces, and Scout Rangers Battalion in rural areas. We urge everyone to defend our national patrimony, environment and natural resources from plunder and to join us in seeking for justice for all victims of human rights violations. Fr. Medardo Salomia
Vice Chairperson
PANALIPDAN SMR
MEDIA DESK: 0929-559-4534
(Panalipdan!-Southern Mindanao is a group membering environmental advocates and activists, church people, academe, youth, farmers, Moro and indigenous groups united in the defense of the environment, food security, land rights and national patrimony.)