Welcomed with warm smiles and handshakes, we stepped into the heart of a community that stands as a living testament to resilience and determination. The Lumad, guardians of their ancestral land, gathered in a humble meeting place—an open space defined not by walls, but by the soil beneath their feet and the unity in their hearts. Chickens and puppies roamed freely, children played nearby, and women moved gracefully, all within a setting that felt both grounded and sacred.The community had thoughtfully organized a program to share their stories with us. One of the remarkable aspects of their organization is the presence of clan representatives. Datu Lando, who had recently stood up at a significant event in Luzon, serves as their Datu Supreme. Alongside him are the “Bae”, the women leaders included in their council. Each leader is well-versed in their land struggles, whether personal stories or legal updates, and we were struck by how they articulated their battle—detailing their decisions, assertions, and outreach to government agencies.The Lumad know what’s best for their community, and they know how to plan and when to act. One Datu even quoted an exact paragraph from the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC), the precursor to the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). They also have Datu Maalamon, known for his wisdom—or “maalam” as they say. His insights, indeed, carried profound knowledge. This tribe is made up of intelligent and courageous people, determined not to fall for the deceitful “win-win solution” offered by illegal occupants—corporations ironically backed by local politicians.

Unfortunately, they are openly oppressed and neglected by the government and the agencies meant to protect their rights. For decades, they have been forced to live along the highway, making their daily lives perilous. Tragically, some children have been run over by passing cars. All of this is because they are being pushed out of their ancestral land. Despite having vast hectares of land, they are crammed into a dangerous strip beside the national road.

Their struggles are a reflection of the broader challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. With their ancestral domains being destroyed by those driven by personal profit, these corporations, big and small, show no regard for the welfare of the people or the environment. They do not seek to protect the earth; they only seek to extract resources, regardless of the cost—even if that cost includes the lives of environmental defenders. According to the community, these corporations, despite illegally occupying the land, maintain their own paramilitary forces, known as “blue goons.” This makes it even harder for the community to live on their land, despite having both historical and legal rights to it. These armed men, who follow orders from their leaders without any legitimate claim, are also the reason why the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) hesitates to help the community reclaim their land. As NCIP officials have said, they do not have an army to oppose the blue goons.

Despite these challenges, the Lumad community remains resolute in their struggle for land rights. They are determined to repossess their land, no matter how many threats they face. They continue to call for support from the government, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), NCIP, and other support groups, to stand with them in their fight for land and self-determination.

As our visit came to an end, we exchanged goodbyes and took a group photo to remember the day. Before leaving, we took a moment to appreciate these remarkable people—their unwavering optimism, their refusal to give up, and their hope for a better future for the next generation. In their struggle, we find inspiration. Padayon ta!