Dear Pope Francis, We are from the Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP), the national alliance of indigenous peoples in the Philippines composed of more than 600 grassroots indigenous peoples’ organizations all over the Philippines. The indigenous peoples extol your statements during the World Youth Day in Brazil on July 2013 and in the Vatican on May 2014 on the protection of the creation of God which He entrusted to us as custodians. As indigenous peoples, we are truly one with your view that Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude. We fully support your call for the respect and protection of the entire creation which God has entrusted to man, not so that it be indiscriminately exploited, but rather made into a garden. Here in the Philippines, the indigenous peoples compose 12-14% of the population. Since the time of colonial rule in the 16th century, the indigenous peoples in the Philippines have been minoritized, not just in terms of numbers but heavily due to the systemic non-recognition of our collective economic, political and cultural rights and traditions. At present, under the Aquino government, we continue to be excluded in favor of foreign and local corporate interests. The government permitted almost 1 million hectares of lands all over the country, mostly in our ancestral territories, for mining operations of local and transnational mining corporations. An estimated 100,000 indigenous peoples from 39 tribal groups all over the country will be dislocated or will lose their livelihood. The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 legalized and systematized a liberalized mining scheme, and allowed 100% foreign owned capital and repatriation of profits; and water, timber and easement rights for mining corporations. In addition, there are so-called “development projects” like hydropower, geothermal and other energy projects, and agribusiness plantations encroaching ancestral territories and having detrimental impacts on our lives. As our ancestors taught us, we owe these lands to the future generation and it is our responsibility to defend these gifts of our Creator. Our just actions in defense of our ancestral lands and resources have been met with violence primarily coming from State forces. From July 2010 up to the present, there are at least 50 indigenous peoples killed by the military, para-military and corporate security forces. We weep and grieve for the lives of our leaders, members of our communities, members of our organizations, and especially the indigenous women and children who are the bearers of life and the future. Together with other poor and oppressed, we eagerly await your visit and we welcome you to our blessed lands. We humbly ask for your intercession for the welfare and dignity of the indigenous peoples, the national minorities in our country and around the world, and the integrity of creation for the common good of the poor and oppressed. We seek your blessing for our continuing struggle for our ancestral lands and self-determination. We hope that your intercession will make the Aquino government will revoke the Mining Act of 1995, and in place enact the Peoples Mining Bill that will redirect the liberalized mining industry towards genuine national development and genuine recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights for a dignified place in our country. Lastly, we pray that you may have more strength as you go about your great mission for Gods most forsaken people. In behalf of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, Piya Macliing Malayao KAMP National Coordinator #DearPope #StandWithUs
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 04:57:59 +0000
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