Terror in IP Communities

On my Twitter feed, I have seen news years back reporting on lumad killings. At that time, I knew it was wrong, and human rights were violated. However, I did not understand why it happened. More than that, I did not know when this started, who killed them, and for what end. I never put effort into understanding probably because I felt detached from the reports. Sometime after, I came across Tweets talking about bakwit schools; and the people who were Tweeting were college students. Only then could I relate to the issue because I hold great importance to education, and I wouldn't say I like the idea of others living in fear. I recently read over ten articles written from 2015 to 2020 on the plight of the Lumad communities in Mindanao. I could say that I am disappointed at myself for not understanding what has been happening sooner. 

I understand that the indigenous people live on land rich in natural resources that they want to protect. Big companies want access to these areas for industrial purposes that can severely affect the environment, including mining and logging, to name a few. The lumad are stopping these companies from exploiting nature. But companies, in some way, influence military power that can threaten the lumad to leave. The military has been reported even to start paramilitary groups composed of lumad people because they would be more familiar with the place and people. However, the lumad would continue to fight to protect their ancestral domain. With that, military and paramilitary groups decided to target schools. There, paramilitary groups have threatened leaders and students, accused of being NPA; others shot dead. In truth, some were NPA only because they were promised that they would be assisted in protecting their land. There is a series of terrorism that leads and continues to influence many students and families to evacuate. It is hard to say the government is doing anything because it appears that this terrorism is state-sanctioned, and it has been happening for more than a decade already. In Davao City, UCCP Haran is used as a bakwit school. Though early this year, officials asked that the place should be closed due to violation of IP Rights. The truth is, the people there are free to come and go, and they choose to stay because there is no government assurance that they will be protected from military and paramilitary attacks when they return home. Presently, there are over 300 in UCCP Haran, and the COVID-19 virus adds to their challenges. The Anti-Terror Bill also concerns lumad communities because they advocate for the environment, and many environmental activists have been killed. 

It is clear to me that everyone acts out of necessity; to protect the environment, follow orders, and make money. There are varying needs per person. The lumad were never in the wrong, but they were taken advantage of and deceived. If people are communist or part of the NPA, I do not see anything wrong with that unless they are extremists and hurt people through violence and terrorism. In hindsight, it is the paramilitary and the military that have been acting through violence and terrorism. However, it is also essential to understand why they do so; it is likely for money and other benefits. They struggle with these things because good-paying jobs can be hard to find. For me, the best solution the government can do is organize dialogues and rehabilitation. Dialogue would be for negotiation, compromise, and finding common ground for the stakeholders.  As for rehabilitation, those who have violated human rights, whether lumad, military, paramilitary, for people in business, need to be caught and jailed, because only justice brings peace. The people in authority or the government should not treat friends and rich companies special for self-gain or the thought of development without talking with the locals. Many things can go better without the need of an anti-terrorism bill and martial law. The government can always enforce its rules and act in line with its duties; without corruption. Everyone needs to understand and respect the positive actions the lumad do to preserve our natural heritage. They are our frontliners against illegal logging, unsustainable mining, and animal trafficking. Their culture and presence make Mindanao. The island and environment would not be the same without them.

08/12/2020 

Mindanao Class