Photo by: IPMSDL

On June 20, 2024, MCJ Chairperson Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa represented Mindanao Climate Justice at the Voices of Power event in Penang, Malaysia. During the event, she highlighted the challenges faced by Mindanao and its Indigenous Peoples (IPs), especially the Lumad and Bangsamoro communities.

Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa was joined by Indigenous women from the Philippines, Northeast India, Bangladesh, West Papua, Burma, Malaysia, and other regions. The event gathered various IP communities, organizations, human rights advocates, youth, and the general public to discuss and build solidarity for the defense of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

Below is the speech delivered by Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa:

Introduction

Maradyaw na Aldaw (Good Day, in Manobo) to all of you.

As a social worker, I am here to share the story of Indigenous woman leader Imelda Campos Belandres, which connects to my colleague Bai Eufemia’s testimony.

Barely two weeks ago, Imelda was arrested, following the arrest of her husband, Efren, two weeks prior. This happened in their ancestral land in Surigao del Sur, where they had been warned by their clan to flee due to threats against their lives. However, as community leaders, they refused to abandon their people, especially during these times of militarization.

Imelda and her family witnessed the massacre of her brother Dionel, tribal leader Datu Sinzo, and school director Emerito Samarca on September 1, 2015, by indigenous paramilitary forces funded and controlled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The entire village was forced to witness this horrific event. The underlying motive? The Manobo people’s ancestral domain, Andap Valley, sits on vast coal mineral deposits.

This tragedy struck a once-peaceful land, yet the community’s spirit remains unbroken. They formed an organization called MAPASU, which stands for Persevering Struggle for the Future Generations of Manobos.

Imelda and Efren embody the truth of MAPASU’s name. Their daughter, Gleeza Joy, is a spokesperson for the Save Our Schools campaign and a graduate of ALCADEV alternative school. Their eldest daughter, Glorivic, was a teacher in their community school. In 2022, Glorivic and her husband were stopped at a military roadblock, accused of being rebels, and shot at point-blank range. The next day, the military released photos of their bodies with high-powered rifles placed beside them, falsely justifying their deaths as combatants. The underlying motive? ALCADEV school educates Manobos, allegedly turning them into rebels to resist mining companies in Andap Valley.

This tragic case story highlights a family’s struggle, a village’s fight, with women at the forefront.

Introducing Mindanao Climate Justice (MCJ)

In this context, Mindanao Climate Justice (MCJ) is dedicated to advocating for the environmental and human rights of Indigenous communities in Mindanao. The insights and data I present today are drawn from our institution’s extensive research, highlighting the urgent need for action and solidarity.

At this Voices of Power event, we are not just sharing stories like those of Imelda, Gleeza, and Glorivic; we are here to amplify their stifled voices and build a united front against the systemic violence and rights violations faced by Indigenous Peoples, especially Indigenous women, in Asia and beyond.

MCJ’s research has been pivotal in uncovering the severe impacts of militarization, environmental exploitation, and climate change on Indigenous communities. Recognizing and protecting Indigenous rights to self-determination, ancestral lands, and natural resources is fundamental to addressing these challenges.

Corporate Control, Exploitation, and the Impact on Lumad Communities

Mindanao, rich in natural resources, has become a focal point for economic interests, with multinational corporations controlling nearly a third of its 10.2 million hectares of land. This includes 500,000 hectares allocated to plantations, 948,209 hectares for mining under 47 MPSAs, and 4,878,895 hectares for logging. This concentration of corporate control has marginalized the impoverished majority, particularly the Lumad communities.

These economic interests have exacerbated forced displacement among Indigenous people due to armed conflict, natural disasters, and land disputes. Large-scale mining, logging, and plantation projects span vast areas, transforming ancestral lands into monocultures and stripping forests rich in cultural heritage. Imagine being forced from your ancestral home, witnessing these transformations that not only displace communities but also threaten cultural identities among the Lumad people.

In 2017, Mindanao was the country’s hotspot for murders of land and environmental defenders, accounting for 67% of the 47 killed in the Philippines and a third of the total in 2018, according to Global Witness. Indigenous territories in Mindanao have become heavily militarized, leading to increased surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and violent crackdowns on peaceful protests. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has further suppressed dissent by labeling activists and organizations as terrorists. According to the UN OCHA, as of May 2024, over 137,500 people are currently displaced due to ongoing conflicts and military operations.

Under President Marcos Jr., industries prioritize economic gains over Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability, enabling the relentless encroachment on Lumad ancestral lands.

Climate Vulnerability of Lumad Communities

Recent trends show a southward shift in typhoon landfall, increasingly impacting Mindanao. Major disasters, such as typhoons Sendong in 2011 and Pablo in 2012, highlight the region’s vulnerability. Despite being a disaster hotspot, government response remains insufficient. Mindanao’s economy, heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, faces significant threats from climate-related hazards. The Lumad communities, particularly the Tedurays, have been severely affected, with 27 Tedurays dying in landslides following Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in October 2022. Comprehensive climate action and disaster preparedness are urgently needed.

The Lumad Struggle Against Development Aggression

Manobo-Pulangiyon of Bukidnon

The Manobo-Pulangiyon of Bukidnon remain marginalized and displaced. Currently, 1,490 families are living along the national highway of Bukidnon after being forcibly evicted from their ancestral domain by a private corporation illegally occupying their lands. Despite the expiration of a lease on their ancestral domain in 2018, the tribe faces violent repression from private security forces. They endure daily threats and urge the government to enforce the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) and award the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT).

Teduray Tribe in BARMM

Since 2005, the Teduray tribe has lobbied for formal recognition of their ancestral domain, a struggle that continues. Tragic landslides triggered by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in October 2022, which killed 27 Tedurays, and the assassination of IP Woman leader Jocelyn Palao in December 2022, highlight the dangers faced by Indigenous advocates. The Teduray-Lambangian Ancestral Domain Claim (TLADC), spanning 208,258 hectares, remains unrecognized, leading to continuous displacement and violence.

Subanen Tribes in Zamboanga del Norte

Subanen tribes and local officials have protested against illegal mining operations that threaten a vital watershed and risk displacing the Subanen from their ancestral domain. Despite lacking permits, mining companies have deployed heavy equipment and militiamen. Subanen leaders appeal to President Marcos Jr. for intervention.

Higaonon Tribes in Misamis Oriental

The Higaonon community faces threats due to a land rush spurred by development. Despite holding a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) from 2009, bureaucratic delays and lack of government support leave them vulnerable to displacement.

The Lumad and People of Soccsksargen Fight Against Tampakan Open-Pit Mining

The Tampakan copper-gold mining project, spanning four provinces, threatens to displace approximately 4,000 Blaan tribespeople and jeopardize five major riverheads. Violence has continued, with the Capion massacre of 2012 being a notable incident.

Attacks on Education, HRDs, and Environmental Preservation

Amidst the struggles faced by the Lumad communities in Mindanao, attacks on education and human rights defenders (HRDs) have exacerbated their plight. Two hundred Lumad schools, crucial for culturally relevant education and community resilience, have been targeted with closures, demolitions, and violence. These institutions not only educate but also serve as bastions of cultural preservation.

HRDs and educators supporting these schools endure harassment, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings, undermining efforts to sustain Indigenous knowledge and environmental protection. The closure and destruction of these schools have disrupted the education of 10,000 Indigenous children, deepening poverty and inflicting severe psychological trauma on students, teachers, and communities.

The closure of Lumad schools coincides with intensified environmental exploitation across Mindanao. As mining and logging activities expand, the absence of educational institutions diminishes opportunities to instill environmental stewardship among future generations. This dual assault on education and environment underscores broader efforts to weaken Indigenous resistance and exploit natural resources unchecked.

Criminalization Against Indigenous People and Advocates

The Indigenous communities in Mindanao face systematic criminalization and persecution:

Caraga Region: The Sibagat Case:  In the ‘Sibagat Case,’ 468 individuals, including 50 Lumad leaders and 10 Lumad women, were falsely charged with kidnapping and illegal detention of soldiers and militias captured by NPA rebels in Agusan del Sur. This case exemplifies the rampant filing of trumped-up charges against Indigenous people in Mindanao.

Davao Region: The Talaingod 18:  Nine Lumad teachers and members of a fact-finding mission were unlawfully arrested by the military on charges including trafficking, kidnapping, and failure to return a minor. These ongoing baseless charges highlight the targeted criminalization of Indigenous advocates.

The Bakwit School 7: Volunteer teachers and Lumad leaders were falsely accused of training students as rebels during a raid. Although charges were dismissed, the accusations led to school closures, harassment, and violence. Chad Booc was tragically killed by the military in February 2022.

Zamboanga Peninsula: Nenita Condez: Indigenous leader Nenita Condez faced fabricated charges due to her activism against a Canadian mining company, along with accusations against her father in the same case.

Attacks Against Lumad Advocates

• Czarina Musni: Falsely accused of financing rebels, subjected to red-tagging, threats, and smear campaigns.
• Juan Macababbad: Fatally shot outside his home while advocating for Indigenous rights and supporting Lumad teachers.
• Jay Apiag: Faces legal harassment in her role as a paralegal worker.
• Natividad “Naty” Castro: A human rights defender and health worker, arrested on false charges.

These cases illustrate the pervasive threats faced by Indigenous advocates in Mindanao, where legal harassment and violence are used to suppress dissent and undermine their efforts to defend their communities and ancestral lands.

Stories of Resilience

Despite facing immense challenges, the Lumad people demonstrate remarkable courage and resilience. Leaders such as Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, Eufemia “Ka Fem” Cullamat, and the Lumad women of the Ata-Manobo tribe stand as pillars of strength.

Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, a revered Manobo chieftain, bravely defended her people’s rights against relentless harassment and coercion by military forces until her peaceful passing in November 2023.

Eufemia “Ka Fem” Cullamat, a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, persists despite state persecution and personal tragedy, including the loss of her daughter in a clash with government forces and the illegal arrest of her husband. Her unwavering commitment continues to uphold justice and preserve cultural heritage.

Ata-Manobo Women in the Davao Region resist militarization and climate change threats to safeguard their children’s education and ancestral lands. Their perseverance is supported by Lumad advocates and the solidarity of Indigenous Peoples groups, including AYNI-FIMI and IPMSDL, whose invaluable support sustains the Ata-Manobo tribe.

Conclusion

Having presented these data and highlights, I would now like to discuss two key insights from a gender and feminist perspective on the situation in Lumad Land in Mindanao.

Firstly, the Philippine state has launched a gender-specific assault on Lumad women and children. Beyond the economic goal of exploiting indigenous resources, it is evident that the previous Duterte regime sought to target indigenous women and suppress their bravery in resisting. Duterte’s statements such as “Attack women rebels on their vagina,” “Bomb Lumad schools,” and “You are teaching Lumad children how to assemble an armalite” reveal a deeply misogynistic and authoritarian stance. As someone who served as deputy minister for social welfare and development under Duterte, I experienced firsthand how attempts to enact meaningful reforms for the people were obstructed, and we were unjustly associated with communist rebels.

Today, under the Marcos Jr. regime, these schools remain closed, while drones and fighter planes indiscriminately bombard Lumad communities. Women and children are once again forced to flee as “bakwits,” while government forces persistently occupy indigenous villages. According to MCJ’s human rights statistics, increasing numbers of Lumad women face arbitrary arrests, fabricated criminal charges, defamation, and intimidation.

Secondly, in response to the state’s targeted attacks, there emerges a vibrant and palpable feminization of resistance within indigenous struggles. Recall Macli-ing Dulag, the martyr from the North, where Cordilleran women courageously bared their breasts to repel soldiers and miners encroaching on their land—a groundbreaking act. Today, Lumad women carry forward this legacy. Leaders like Imelda, Gleeza Joy, and Glorivic are pioneers of alternative indigenous education, traditionally a nurturing role now transformed into a tool for tribal liberation and self-determination.

Their feminist approach dismantles societal norms like buya (pre-teen arranged marriages) and duway (polygamous marriages), particularly among the Talaingod-Manobos. Institutions like ALCADEV use agro-ecological methods to empower women, freeing communities from archaic agrarian practices and economic disparities. These alternative schools promote critical thinking, challenging the government’s colonial and feudal educational paradigms with narratives of perseverance, ancestral land defense, and self-determination. Every day, Lumad women lead environmental defense, land rights advocacy, healthcare access, and social justice campaigns.

Globally, indigenous women, particularly in Asia, must unite against feudal-patriarchal-fascist regimes. Non-indigenous allies should join this cause, supporting indigenous women in their struggle for liberation and empowerment. Together, we can confront systemic violence, uphold rights, and combat environmental exploitation. Let us continue amplifying voices, sharing stories, and building a future where the dignity and rights of Indigenous Peoples are revered.

These insights are just the tip of our findings. For more details, please visit our website or reach out to me directly.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this cause. Together, we can and will make a difference.

Kamalitanan, maghiusa! Women, unite! Paragas ki! Let us march forward!

Thank you.