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Lumads should not be a term for ignorance, and should never be the subject for ridicule. (RESEARCHED BY: Perez, Renee Margaret R.) 

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URL: https://www.facebook.com/114505360401455/posts/127866505732007
TITLE: Lumads should not be a term for ignorance, and should never be the subject for ridicule.
AUTHOR:  Tingog (Youth Organization)

DATE: October 19, 2020

KEY INFO: Stereotypes associated with Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao may seem harmless since they're already treated as a norm, but they actually project harm to them as these misconceptions dissociate them from their tribes' identities. Not only are IPs attached with false stereotypes towards their identities, their features, which are part of the Filipino identity, are used as insults and like the title stated, “a term for ignorance”. Even with IPs long history in our country, they are treated with racial prejudice as their existence and lands are threatened.

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Ata tribe campaigns vs selling of ancestral domain - Mindanao Times (RESEARCHED BY: Sabal, Salman M.)

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URL:https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/09/11/ata-tribe-campaigns-vs-selling-of-ancestral-domain/

TITLE: Ata tribe campaigns vs selling of ancestral domain

AUTHOR: Rhoda, Grace Saron

DATE: September 11, 2021

KEY INFO: Members of the Ata tribe in Paquibato District have launched a campaign against the sale of their ancestral domains. Last Monday, Datu Amansing Sampiano, Barangay Salapawan tribal chieftain, led the holding of a ritual to start the campaign as the community installed billboards where the words “Ancestral Domains are NOT FOR SALE” were printed. The billboards were installed in Sitio Kiman-anaw, Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District as part of the call of the community that under Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, or Republic 8371, selling of ancestral domains is strictly prohibited. The tribe said its campaign will also be expanded to every barangay of the district to ensure that more people are informed. The campaign is a realization of the tribe’s call for the support of Mayor Sara Duterte to promote awareness and recognition of the indigenous peoples’ rights, including those that cover the ancestral domains.

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Last Monday, Datu Amansing Sampiano, Barangay Salapawan tribal chieftain, led the holding of a ritual to start the campaign as the community installed billboards where the words "Ancestral Domains are NOT FOR SALE" were printed.

"The ritual symbolized the remembrance and respect to their ancestors who gave them their ancestral domains. The ritual also emphasized the respect and guidance of Manama for the success of the project. The chicken used symbolizes the purity, strength, and peace of the Ata tribe," the tribe said in a statement.

The billboards were installed in Sitio Kiman-anaw, Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District as part of the call of the community that under Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, or Republic 8371, selling of ancestral domains is strictly prohibited.

The provision of the law states: "The indigenous concept of ownership generally holds that ancestral domains are the ICC's/IP's [Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples] private but community property, which belongs to all generations and therefore cannot be sold, disposed (of) or destroyed."

Violation of the law punishes the violator with at least nine months but not more than 12 years of imprisonment, or a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000 or both dependent on the discretion of the court.

The city government said the campaign is in line with its Peace 911 program which not only implements peace and development projects but also protects the rights of possession and ownership of tribal communities over the ancestral domain land to preserve their culture.

The tribe said its campaign will also be expanded to every barangay of the district to ensure that more people are informed.

The campaign is a realization of the tribe's call for the support of Mayor Sara Duterte to promote awareness and recognition of the indigenous peoples' rights, including those that cover the ancestral domains.

"We sincerely thank our Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio [for her] response to our concern especially to protect our motherland. [We want to] respect and preserve our culture,"said Berino Mambo-o Sr., vice president of the community association.

In June, the City Information Office reported, the City Planning and Development Office assured the tribe of its support for the campaign as, based on the record of the office, the tribe has 65,796 hectares of ancestral domain with 56,506 hectares situated within the boundaries of the city.

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Ata tribe campaigns vs selling of ancestral domain - Mindanao Times

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Last Monday, Datu Amansing Sampiano, Barangay Salapawan tribal chieftain, led the holding of a ritual to start the campaign as the community installed billboards where the words "Ancestral Domains are NOT FOR SALE" were printed. "The ritual symbolized the remembrance and respect to their ancestors who gave them their ancestral domains.

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IPMR rep: Rampant buying, selling of ancestral lands in Marilog (RESEARCHED BY: Efren. Maria Alexandra G.)

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URL: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1927966/davao/local-news/ipmr-rep-rampant-buying-selling-of-ancestral-lands-in-marilog

TITLE: IPMR rep: Rampant buying, selling of ancestral lands in Marilog, Davao City

AUTHOR: SunStar Davao

DATE: May 2, 2022

KEY INFO: Ancestral domains are being bought and sold at an alarming rate in Davao City, especially in the Marilog District, according to DATU Rody Mande, an IPMR with the City Council of Davao. Mande further said that the selling and buying of ancestral estates had resulted in the deaths of seven leaders. According to Republic Act 8371, an act to recognize, defend, and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities, the indigenous peoples have the right to their ancestral domains but that right has been recently disregarded.

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DATU Rody Mande, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory representative (IPMR) of the City Council of Davao, observed that there is rampant buying and selling of ancestral domains in Davao City, particularly in Marilog District.

During the Kapehan on May 2, 2022 at SM City Davao, Mande said there are already indigenous peoples in the lowlands that have been displaced due to the selling of ancestral domains.

"Usa kini sa mga medyo hagit karun sa akong paglingkod sa Davao City, kung paano sya ma-stop, dako ni nga problema kay daghang tao mabanggaan especially taga city kay daghan na og nanaka na didto (This is one of the uphill challenges as a councilor (IPMR) of Davao City, on how to stop this and it is a big problem because there are lot of people who may not agree or is against of the plans that we are going to make since there are already occupants from the city)," Mande said.

Mande urged the Ancestral Domain Management Office (Admo), which is composed of Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) of selected tribal leaders, not to deal with the buyers to eradicate the issue of selling ancestral domains.

"Naa gud man dealer, so kana pud ang among problema tungod siguro kay dili anad og kwarta ang tribo so pag-abot sa kwarta mabaliskad ang pang isip (The dealers are also a problem. The tribal leaders are not used to dealing with transactions with money, and when they encounter such, it could affect how they decide on such matters)," Mande added.

Mande also said that seven leaders have been killed due to buying and selling of ancestral domains.

"Ang subo lang karun, until now, wala gihapon hustisya, walay laing ground kung dili naay makapalit, naka men in uniform pa ang ubang nakapalit, nga syempre malain nga nganong gibaligyaan pero dili man diay iyaha to, so kung kinsa pa ang dili malain nga million gud (It is so sad that until now justice have not been served, there's no other grounds for this but the buying and selling (of ancestral domain), there are buyers who are even men-in-uniform that we've been offended because they have bought land that is not even their (sellers) own, costing millions)," he said.

The councilor plans to gather all the tribal leaders to address the issue on the buying and selling of ancestral lands.

The Indigenous Peoples have the right to their ancestral domains according to Republic Act 8371, an act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous people, creating a national commission of indigenous people, establishing implementing mechanisms, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.

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IPMR rep: Rampant buying, selling of ancestral lands in Marilog

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DATU Rody Mande, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory representative (IPMR) of the City Council of Davao, observed that there is rampant buying and selling of ancestral domains in Davao City, particularly in Marilog District. During the Kapehan on May 2, 2022 at SM City Davao, Mande said there are already indigenous peoples in the lowlands that have been displaced due to the selling of ancestral domains.

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Fate of Mindanao IPs at stake in polls (RESEARCHED BY: Crodua, Yasmin T.)

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URL:  https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1593648/fate-of-mindanao-ips-at-stake-in-polls
TITLE: Fate of Mindanao IPs at Stake in Polls

AUTHOR: INQUIRER.NET

DATE: May 8, 2022

KEY INFO: Embroiled in a conflict that pitted the tribe against a powerful agribusiness firm in the last five years, and put his life in danger as gunshots met them in the bushy field not far from a sprawling pineapple plantation.

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(Last of a series) On April 19, Partido Lakas ng Masa presidential candidate Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman accompanied members of the indigenous Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe to occupy their

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Philippines Police Raid Targets Displaced Indigenous Students (RESEARCHED BY: Perez, Renee Margaret R.)

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URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/16/philippines-police-raid-targets-displaced-indigenous-students
TITLE: Philippines Police Raid Targets Displaced Indigenous Students
AUTHOR: Al Jazeera
DATE: February 16, 2021
KEY INFO: After being coerced from their own homes in Mindanao because of battles between the military and communist rebels, Indigenous Lumad students were provided shelter by the University of San Carlos, a Catholic school in Cebu City. The Save Our Schools Network said that no less than 176 of their schools were shut down, depriving at least 5,500 of them of education. The "rescue operation" which was insisted on by the government as so, is recognized as part of President Rodrigo Duterte's declared battle against the communist rebels. The president's administration generalized and proclaimed communists as "terrorists", which harmed organizations through the government campaign known as "red-tagging". In the "rescue operation", contents on social media, posted by people present at the scene, showed students and teachers screaming and resisting while the police and social workers were dragging them from the university. At least 21 students, 19 of them minors, were taken by the police. While the 7 Lumad teachers and elders faced charges ranging from kidnapping and illegal detention to human trafficking and abuse. The university then denied the kidnapping and human trafficking claims and said that they treated the Indigenous Lumad students with their best interest in mind.

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Mindanao 🇵🇭  “This is Philippines” Series | Catriona Gray (RESEARCHED BY: Mabaquiao, Shamela Alyssa A.)

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8) PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE OR PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

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8) PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE OR PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkBh4TSYyHY

TITLE: Mindanao 🇵🇭 “This is Philippines” Series

AUTHOR: Catriona Gray

DATE: (Premiered) December 12, 2018

KEY INFO: The T'boli tribe is highly recognized for their wonderful culture and crafts, especially their weaving of clothing. The T'nalak festival is celebrated annually in South Cotabato in commemoration of the indigenous tribe, featuring its well-known motto, "Weaving your dreams to reality." T'nalak is a traditional hand-woven textile made by the Tagabili people from the region of Cotabato. In this video, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray showcases the tribe, as she personally visited its inhabitants and explored their culture during her major fight on the big stage. The film depicts her experiences during her visit as well as her brief speech of admiration for the tribe and its traditions.

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Mindanao 🇵🇭  “This is Philippines” Series | Catriona Gray

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ACT for Peace (RESEARCHED BY: Mabaquiao, Shamela Alyssa A.)

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URL: https://www.peaceinsight.org/en/organisations/act-for-peace/?location=philippines&theme

TITLE: ACT for Peace

AUTHOR: Peace Direct

DATE: December 2015

KEY INFO: As seen in this advocacy poster, ACT for Peace opposed the closing of Lumad (indigenous people) schools in Davao del Norte, Mindanao. ACT for Peace was created for its educational mission, which advocates for a just and lasting peace founded on liberty, democracy, and justice. The proponents of this topic created a graphic depicting indigenous people protesting, confronting the government, fighting for and upholding their rights, notably the right to education. It represents Lumads, allowing their voices to be heard; that despite everything, they are still human beings deserving of literacy, respect, and equality.

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Indigenous peoples in Agusan del Sur face harassment (RESEARCHED BY: Efren, Maria Alexandra G.)

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN2d9Mr0xOw

TITLE: Indigenous peoples in Agusan del Sur face harassment

AUTHOR: CNN Philippines

DATE: April 22, 2022

KEY INFO: The bandwagons of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, recently received over 38,000 acres of property as ancestral domain from the former president Duterte. In other words, the indigenous people are entitled to own and farm this land. Although the tribe has a legitimate claim to the property, Datu Matibuli, a traditional leader in the area, asserts that they are not free to roam around. He alleges that a group of armed guys are intimidating and harassing the people. Despite the fact that they are supposed to be protected by the law, indigenous people are in fact exposed to assaults. There are several instances of unreported intimidation and harassment of indigenous groups in the area.

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Indigenous peoples in Agusan del Sur face harassment

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Philippines Indigenous defenders call for protection (RESEARCHED BY:  Flores, Alexandria C.)

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD-EEGmjUVk

TITLE: Philippines Indigenous defenders calls for protection

AUTHOR: Al Jazeera English

DATE: May 2, 2022

KEY INFO: The Manobo Pulangiyon in Bukidnon, an indigenous group, speaks for respect, justice, and decency in Media for them to be heard. The tribe seeks assurance of protection and safety from the government for people not to apathetically neglect and treat them like garbage. Due to a territorial dispute brought on by well-known corporations who assert claims to territories that were once part of their ancestral realm, they suffer from having to defend their rights against violence.

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Philippines Indigenous defenders call for protection

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Kasinatian, Kasayuran, Kasaysayan, Kamatuoran - Lumad: Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao (RESEARCHED BY: Mabaquiao, Shamela Alyssa A.)  

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URL:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yZDA1NWIwNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/NTQ4N2U5ZGQtYThiYi00ZGUxLWIwMTktY2ZjNDJlNWQ0YjY5

TITLE: Lumad: Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao

AUTHOR: Kasinatian, Kasayuran, Kasaysayan, Kamatuoran (Host: Ryan Dave Rayla)

DATE: August 26, 2020

KEY INFO: This podcast, hosted by Ryan Dave Rayla, features Cherub Daraman, a bachelor of arts in political science student at the University of San Carlos and a young Lumad advocate. Daraman goes on to address why the Lumad are noteworthy and how we can help them through the LumadAko Initiative, led by him. He discusses how the lumad's human rights, particularly their right to education, are not being protected. He also goes on to discuss the tribe's experience of persecution and violence as a result of corporate investors' self-interest in eyeing their territory for future projects, including using the land for mining sites.

As the audio continues, Daraman discusses how he campaigns for the welfare of the Lumad people, and around halfway through the discussion, he shares some of the target profit and projects of his lumadAko initiative. He explained how it aims to raise 100,000 pesos, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Lumad community. He also mentioned some additional potential projects for the lumad people, such as donating school supplies to those lumad who are undergoing modular learning and medication, particularly for the elderly. He mentioned something about organizing a medical mission for the well-being of the lumad and hopes to be able to be successful in this endeavor of his, so that he won't be able to only help the Surigao lumads, but also other communities, especially in region 13.

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Kasinatian, Kasayuran, Kasaysayan, Kamatuoran - Lumad: Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao

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Cherub Daraman, a young advocate for the Lumad, joins us in this episode to discuss about why the Lumad matters and how we can help via the LumadAko Initiative.

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A cultural struggle (RESEARCHED BY: Flores, Alexandria C.)

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URL: https://worldmissionmagazine.com/archives/august-2016/cultural-struggle

TITLE: A Cultural Struggle

AUTHOR: World Mission: Struggles of the Indigenous | Tammy Danan

DATE: August 2016

KEY INFO: The indigenous people of Mindanao, Philippines, like the Lumads living on mountains, have been fighting for the salvation of their ancestral lands. Many Lumad deaths are being labeled as collateral damage.They are being tagged as NPA, accused as friends of NPA, someone working for the NPA, and therefore, should be killed. Women were also accused of being wives to rebels, schools built by local and international non-government organizations for the Indigenous peoples were labeled as NPA-governed schools, and educators are threatened to be killed. Only a few people recognize and know the existence of the Republic Act 8317 or the Indigenous Peoples Act of 1997 – a Philippine national law that basically states indigenous people have the right to their ancestral lands that is one of the reasons why the situation is still prevalent at present.

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According to a 2015 report by Forbes, there's a three-trillion dollars' worth of gold in the Philippines, making the country the second largest gold reserve globally. Mining companies seem to know this even before the Forbes report because the application list to operate in the country's ancestral domains keeps growing. In one angle, this can be considered a positive note. More foreign investment means more companies growing, and more companies growing means more job opportunities for the Filipinos. In fact, the government sees some 250,000 job opportunities in the mining industry alone. If we are to focus on this and this alone, we would probably see it as a chance for us to be an inch farther from poverty. But in another angle, a bigger environmental and cultural damage unfolds.
Bloody battle
Year 1994 was when intensive large-scale mining operations began in Mindanao, mostly in the Southern Mindanao Region, the home of the Ata Manobos for generations. Because these Lumads are determined to protect nature and would not allow companies to operate, the government sent battalions of soldiers in the areas to ensure peace and keep the investors safe. It still sends battalions of soldiers to date.

Save Our Schools Foundation (SOS), a non-government organization focused on documenting and reporting attacks in schools, has recorded that 14 combat battalions of soldiers were sent to Region XIII or the CARAGA Region (consists of four provinces: Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur) under the Aquino regime. Consequently, 10 combat battalions were deployed in Region XII or SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) and a whopping 21 combat battalions in Region XI or the Southern Mindanao Region. That's 10,500 - 16,800 soldiers in total.

Military presence isn't the only dilemma Philippine indigenous people are dealing with. Their schools are also instantly transformed into barracks. Save Our Schools Foundation visited some of the most affected areas, including Lupon, Davao Oriental; Paquibato District, Davao City; Compostela Valley Province; Talaingod, Davao del Norte; and Surigao del Sur, and saw firsthand the heavy military presence as well as the encampment in schools and communities. Children, who are supposed to learn Math and mother tongue and reading, end up hearing gunshots and seeing armors in school.

The Lumads may forbid large-scale mining and logging operations all they want but most of these companies have papers and permits from the government - a proof that the former administration allowed them to burrow the country's ancestral lands. And, at this point, where high-powered guns and bullets are involved, the Lumads, their next generation and the entire Filipino culture are all at stake.

And what's worse is that natural resources are not the only reason why more and more Lumads experience harassment and death each year.
Tagged as NPA
The former administration crafted, in 2011, Oplan Bayanihan, a counter-insurgency plan designed to maintain peace... hence the military presence. And upon asking the Lumads if they do see NPA (New People's Army) members in their barrios, they did say yes but also clarifying that these NPAs don't stay long in their communities. This is yet another reason why there are so many soldier battalions in the Southern Mindanao Region - to hunt down rebel groups and members of the armed revolutionary group NPA.

The only problem is, aside from the ancestral lands turning into battlefield, many Lumads are being tagged as NPA. In some cases, Lumad deaths are being labelled as collateral damage. In other cases, they are accused as NPA, friends of NPA, someone working for the NPA, and therefore, should be killed. Some of them also experienced torture under the hands of the soldiers.

This made the Lumads' home seem like under martial law. They said soldiers would let them farm for few hours a day only. Stay longer in the farms and you will be suspected to have met up with the rebels. Many women, even young ones, also said their female friends, relatives, or they themselves were accused of being wives to rebels. It is but a harrowing thought that the womanhood and humanity of these people are tarnished so easily by those in power.
Paramilitary groups
The hellish war doesn't involve soldiers and NPAs only. To make the hunting job easier, soldiers form paramilitary groups for assistance and easier immersion in the areas. One of the most popular is the Alamara. An Alamara is basically a Lumad tricked, lured or forced to carry guns and go against his tribe. They are provided with armors and military uniforms by the military themselves, and are ordered to follow all their orders - including killing fellow Lumads if needed.

Such cockfight scenario isn't new anymore. But with the great increase of Lumad deaths from 2010 to 2016, we can say it got really worse.
Struggle for education
Their homes, their livelihood, their right to live peacefully, and their right to be educated - all these seem to be taken away harshly from the hundreds and thousands of Ata Manobos. And probably other kinds of Lumads in the country as well.

Reports revealed that schools built by local and international non-government organizations were also labeled as NPA-governed schools. Educators are tagged as rebels and are threatened to be killed. I once spoke with a teacher whose assignment was moved to the Lumads' refugee camp. He said he never got to teach in the hinterlands because they were warned that if they proceed, they will be chopped and their mangled body parts will be mixed with mud. Another teacher shared her experience with the Lumads, revealing a glimpse of the disturbing state in their areas.

"Once when none of my students attended classes, I decided to go down the hill and check up on them, see if they're home. But instead of children, worried parents greeted me. Their voice was filled with anxiety when they saw me and immediately shooed me away. They were mad and worried because they saw combat boot tracks which means soldiers could be anywhere. I shouldn't have come down the hill," said teacher Charlene of Salupongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center.

If not turned into barracks, these schools are burned down. On November 12, 2015, a teacher's cottage in a Lumad school in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, was burned to ashes by armed men. Sad to say but this is not an isolated case.

At the end of the day, it's kind of thought-provoking how in the beginning, the Department of Education provided permits for these educational institutions to operate... but now, it is the very same institution that released closure orders. I cannot help but wonder why it seems like those in power wanted these indigenous people to stay naive. Because if this is not the reason behind school attacks, what is?
The current state
Deaths have increased over the past six years. Some were real collateral damage but many were killed because they were the target.

September 1, 2015, the 54-year-old educator Emerito Samarca was murdered in his town in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Samarca was a father of four and the executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), an educational institution teaching locals and Lumads how to make the most of their lands for better income but not abuse nature.

Other brutal killings include those of Dionel Campos, who was shot in the head in front of his neighbors and relatives, and Bello Sinzo, who was shot eight times and whose body was found with broken arms and crushed jaws. Reports say that Campos was an officer of Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Strength of IPs in Mindanao) or KALUMARAN, and the chairperson of MAPASU or Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (Enduring Struggle for the Next). Sinzo was also a member of MAPASU.

Hundreds and thousands of Lumads evacuate time and time again. They find themselves displaced more often than ever and this greatly affects the education of the children. They haven't been schooled for long because they live in the hinterlands, and now that schools have finally reached their place, their chance to learn is once again halted.

In some exodus cases, they just stay in the forest, hiding and being one with nature, hoping they would be spared. But when there are so much bullets, when the encounter between military and NPA heightens to an unbearable point, they have to leave and walk to the city. They take off the beaten paths so they won't get caught. They bring very little food and the only clothing they have are the ones they wear so there will be less suspicion.

One Lumad told me that at night, when the walking doesn't stop, they walk barefoot, burn their slippers and use it as torch. They need to move as quiet yet as fast as possible. These Lumads are not criminals but in times like this, they need to be next to invisible. The local government in their areas don't want this issue to reach more audience thus, they don't allow any Lumad to leave the place. But these indigenous people are fighting for their lives.

May 2016 marked the first year anniversary of the more than 800 Lumads - from different provinces - in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines or commonly known as UCCP Haran in Davao City. This isn't the first time they sought refuge in this place but this is the instance where they stayed really long. Here, they are labelled by the Philippine national government as trafficking victims, and said support groups are keeping them illegally. But if you ask the Lumads, they may not be as happy here as they are in their barrios - minus the soldiers and Alamara - but they feel safe here. And for now, that's the most important thing.
What now?
The Lumads don't evacuate to hide from the battle. They're here in the city because they've had enough of all the illegal acts in their lands. Only few of them know the existence of Republic Act 8317 or the Indigenous Peoples Act of 1997 - a Philippine national law that basically says indigenous people have the right to their ancestral lands. But all of them know the great importance of nature. They said they consider the forests and rivers as their teacher, their hospital, and their home. For countless decades, they have been doing their best in being responsible of enriching this home.

Even when in the refugee camp, these Lumads are doing everything they can to keep culture alive. One Lumad I met named Nat'uloy has been crippled for two years. He makes kudlung, a traditional musical instrument, in the refugee camp. He once told me: "We couldn't bring food because the military would suspect we're fleeing," so his wife carried him for two days and they and their children "ate nothing." His is only one of the many heartbreaking stories of evacuating. And all of these are because of the greed and irresponsibility of those in power.

We're not saying these people don't mine. They do. They even allow others to operate. But these IPs have strong limits. Small-scale mining is literally just small-scale mining. They use nature to make a living but they know that, more than anything else, they need to preserve it for the next generation. Let's just hope that, beyond the war and killings, there will still be a next generation of our culture.

Last April, Lakbay Lumad USA started. It's a U.S. Speaking Tour supported by various groups locally and in the U.S. Through this, our Lumads can personally express and tell their stories and struggles to the people of the United States, including Filipinos living there. What about us here in our own lands? What are we going to do to help save our lands and our culture?

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For over two decades, the indigenous people (IP) of Mindanao, Philippines, have been fighting for the salvation of their ancestral lands. For the past five-and-a-half years, 70 IPs have died. Rich in natural resources, there's no question why many local and international mining and logging companies want to operate in these areas.

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Manobos decry misrepresentation by Bayan Muna, other groups (RESEARCHED BY: Sabal, Salman M.)

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URL: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112072
TITLE: Manobos decry misrepresentation by Bayan Muna, other groups

AUTHOR: Philippine News Agency

DATE: August 12, 2020

KEY INFO: Leaders of the Manobo tribe in Mindanao on Wednesday condemned the alleged misrepresentation, false claims and the use of the indigenous peoples (IPs) by Save our Schools group and Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat. In a statement, IP Mandatory Representatives of Surigao del Sur, Datu Jomar Bucales and Datu Rico Maca, said Cullamat and Bayan Muna together with other alleged leftist groups like Katribu, PASAKA, and Karapatan are allegedly spreading false reports and disinformation and continue to misrepresent the “true” IPs. These groups, they said, raise and solicit funds from different international organizations on behalf of the IPs, but these same funds are allegedly being used to buy weapons to kill them.

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Poverty, War and Peace: Lumad and Muslim Women’s Issues in Mindanao (RESEARCHED BY: Perez, Renee Margaret R.)

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14. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION ARTICLE

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14. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION ARTICLE

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URL: https://up.edu.ph/poverty-war-and-peace-lumad-and-muslim-womens-issues-in-mindanao/

TITLE: Poverty, War and Peace: Lumad and Muslim Women’s Issues in Mindanao

AUTHOR: Ma. Arve B. Bañez

DATE: May 28, 2019

KEY INFO: Females make up half the population of Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao. In this sense, women are a huge part of indigenous tribes and Mindanao’s development. But, according to a report, “Mindanao women need urgent attention in the areas of economic opportunities, reproductive health, political participation, education, and even basic services such as water and power.” Sulu had the lowest GDI in the country as well. GDI is the Gender-related Development Index, “which measures the inequality in the achievement of women and men based on life expectancy at birth, educational attainment and standard of living”. Indigenous peoples have been suffering from different hardships, from poverty to the existence of their lives and lands. They even spend Christmas in Davao city, begging to survive, instead of their homes to eat with their families. Once the military and rich politicians get involved with crossfires, they are left with no choice than to leave or get caught in the middle of their brawls.

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Poverty, War and Peace: Lumad and Muslim Women’s Issues in Mindanao

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  Background Mindanao is home to diverse communities, with 13 ethno-linguistic groups and around 30 Lumad groups. Of its total population of 25.73 million, some 18 percent are Muslims and approximately 5 percent are Lumad; the rest are migrants and their descendants. Females comprise half of th…

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INFOGRAPHIC: Who are the Lumad? (RESEARCHED BY: Crodua, Yasmin T.)

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URL:  https://www.rappler.com/moveph/178181-infographic-lumad-indigenous-peoples/

TITLE: Who are the lumad?

AUTHOR: RAPPLER.COM

DATE:August 9, 2017

KEY INFO: The Lumad are the largest indigenous group in the Philippines. The word “Lumad” is a Visayan term which means “ born of the earth”. It is important to understand the number of indigenous people in the Philippines as well as their fascinating culture.

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On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, know more about the Lumad and their plight in this infographic

MANILA, Philippines - The Lumad are the largest indigenous group in the Philippines. The word "Lumad" is a Visayan term which means "born of the earth."

The Philippines is composed of 14 to17 million indigenous peoples (IPs) belonging to 110 ethno-linguistic groups, according to a study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Majority of them are in Mindanao (61%), while 33% are concentrated in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Other indigenous groups are located in the Visayas region.

In 1997, the "Indigenous Peoples Rights Act" (IPRA) was enacted to protect the rights of the IPs and their ancestral domains.

Despite being protected by the law, IPs suffer from poverty and numerous human rights violations.

They suffer from discrimination and are considered as one of the poorest minority groups in the world. They do not have access to adequate and appropriate forms of social services like education and health.

According to the United Nations State of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Philippines is one of the countries that facilitated large-scale mining by foreign corporations and other destructive projects, displacing many Lumad communities from their ancestral lands.

Other violations on their human rights include the destruction and burning down of schools, areal bombings, and use of school facilities for military operations.

Know more about the Lumad on Rappler Talk on Wednesday night, August 9, International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. MovePH's Voltaire Tupaz will talk to a Lumad elder and a student to discuss their plight under the Duterte administration (WATCH: Rappler Talk: The love-hate relationship between Duterte and the Lumad). - with a report from Danielle Nakpil/Rappler.com

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On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, know more about the Lumad and their plight in this infographic MANILA, Philippines - The Lumad are the largest indigenous group in the Philippines. The word "Lumad" is a Visayan term which means "born of the earth."

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Wars of Extinction Discrimination  The Lumad Struggle in Mindanao  (RESEARCHED BY:  Mabaquiao, Flores, and Efren)

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URL: https://b-ok.asia/book/12160137/ce5f42

TITLE: Wars of Extinction: Discrimination & The Lumad Struggle in Mindanao

AUTHOR: Arnold P. Alamon

DATE:  1970

KEY INFO: The ongoing battle of the indigenous Lumad people of Mindanao, especially in relation to defending their ancestral territory against development assault and their demand for self-determination.The Lumad an indigenous people in Mindanao, have faced extermination battles launched by the colonial and contemporary Philippine states. In the face of such direct and indirect experiences of historical marginalization, the Lumad has no recourse but to resist and fight back for their rights and freedom.

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Wars of Extinction Discrimination  The Lumad Struggle in Mindanao (Arnold P. Alamon) (z-lib.org).pdf

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I-Witness: "Tasaday," a documentary by Kara David (full episode) (RESEARCHED BY: Efren, Maria Alexandra G. and Flores, Alexandria C.)

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXs7MIAFVo0

TITLE: I-Witness: "Tasaday," a documentary by Kara David

AUTHOR: I-Witness (Kara David)

DATE:  August 12, 2009

KEY INFO: The Manobo Tasaday have a negative reputation caused by hearsays and claims that have never been cleared up even at present because they were never heard. A hunter by the name of Dafal discovered a tribe in South Cotabato's isolated mountains living in caves in 1971 and this tribe came to be known as the Manobo Tasaday. They were uncivilized and naïve of modern culture, and some people showed interest in them, such as Mandy Elizalde, who exploited their gullibility to become known to the world, but the world's recognition of their existence ruined their tranquil existence. They were given an introduction to the media, various figures, and international journalists and their stories were shared in public, but then, an article was made by a foreign journalist that states the Manobo Tasaday were a fraud made up of farmers disguised as tribal members.

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I-Witness: "Tasaday," a documentary by Kara David (full episode)

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10 Myths About Indigenous Peoples (RESEARCHED BY:  Crodua, Yasmin T. , Sabal, Salman M. , and Perez, Renee Margaret R.)

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URL: https://youtu.be/SKV3qoSTsZs

TITLE: 10 Myths About Indigenous Peoples

AUTHOR: Dr. Nestor Castro

DATE: July 30, 2020

KEY INFO:  Dr. Castro, who is part of the Department of Anthropology in UP Diliman, has been researching and creating studies about the different IP's in the Philippines himself. In his webinar, he broke down 10 myths associated with the Indigenous People of the Philippines, specifically the stereotypes and misconceptions presented by the mass media that has been harming their culture, reputation, and people. The mass media has presented IPs as nonprogressive, uneducated, barbaric, and racially exclusive people. The speaker abolished these ideas by discussing their traditions, like how they are naturally hunters of food, to the progress of their homes, like how they adapted to the modern houses in the country. The speaker wants to make a point about how native people are mistreated and accused of being violent and barbaric. which is to say, they're not.

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Padlet Icon: https://www.freepik.com/premium-vector/indigenous-people-with-traditional-cloth-icon-set_16474328.htm

Padlet Background: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/dam/jcr:db0beedf-b85d-48a0-b6e6-87a6dd5557d8/Final_0005_Cover%20.jpg

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Premium Vector | Indigenous people with traditional cloth icon set

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Download this Premium Vector about Indigenous people with traditional cloth icon set, and discover more than 37 Million Professional Graphic Resources on Freepik. #freepik #vector #americanindian #native #tribe

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Indigenous Peoples’ Struggle for Secure Land Tenure in the Philippines: Case Study of Higaonon Tribe in Opol, Mindanao (Crodua, Perez, Sabal)

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URL: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d11c/c6ffc3d160c060a31ea791bc43524a860358.pdf

TITLE: Indigenous Peoples’ Struggle for Secure Land Tenure in the Philippines: Case Study of Higaonon Tribe in Opol, Mindanao

AUTHOR: Petr Drbohlav and Jiri Hejkrlik

DATE: June 23, 2017

KEY INFO: One of the most critical issues faced by Indigenous Peoples worldwide is their struggle with the ownership of their lands. As globalization widens, IPs’ lands are threatened by state interests, such as logging and mining into their lands. Because of land tenure insecurity with IPs, this has become a cause for disagreement in their tribes, and is taken advantage of for state interests. The lack of control over their land also adds to deforestation and exploitation of natural resources. With these, the identities of indigenous people, which are attached to their ancestral lands, are also threatened. About 10 to 15% of the Philippine population that belongs to indigenous communities and are linked with their traditions, lands, and territory, are often thriving on subsistence. They are among the most marginalized groups of the Philippines, that they experience government neglect even with their basic needs.