What is Government’s priority, Money or People?

A Statement of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum on the militarization of Lumad communities
October 1, 2015

“When the King is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will destroy his country” (Proverbs 29:4, Today’s English Version).

The country is indeed being destroyed. Our lumad who belong to the indigenous peoples are getting harassed, intimidated, threatened and killed. Their leaders are being extra-judicially exterminated because they defend their ancestral land and protect their people. The perpetrators, the military and their paramilitary forces, use as an excuse the pretext that these leaders are New People’s Army combatants or supporters.

The people are asked to leave their communities; otherwise they will meet the same fate.

As a result, the people had fled their communities. About 700 Ata Manobo tribes from Talaingod and Kapalong, Davao del Norte and San Fernando, Bukidnon sought refuge in Haran House of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Davao City. Almost 3000 from Surigao del Sur had evacuated to the sports complex in Tandag City for fear of their lives.

Why are they being driven out of their ancestral lands? The reason is money. Big foreign mining corporations want to exploit the resources of the lands known for their richness in gold, nickel and copper. The military wants to make sure that that happens. However, they could not freely enter due to people’s resistance. Hence, the militarization of the area had to commence.

Money has become more important than people!

As pastors of the flock, we are appalled by this priority of our government. Our officials had neglected these mountain people for decades now – no social services like schools, hospitals, water, electricity and other basic necessities.

With the support of churches and non-government organizations, they managed to help themselves. They built their schools and they learned how to read and write. They are taught basic hygiene. They are able to practice their culture. They are happy with their lives.

However, with the coming of the military and the paramilitary forces, they are now in deep trouble. They closed down their schools and turned them into barracks. They threatened and killed their teachers who they plan to replace with soldiers as para-teachers. They are forced to leave their homes, their lands and their livelihoods.

Rep. Nancy Catamco, chair of the Committee on the Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives, accompanied by the military, the police, representatives from the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, visited the refugees in Davao city in order to “rescue” them who she claimed were “kidnapped” by UCCP pastors and other church people who are influence by the left.

Criminal cases were later filed against 15 individuals including UCCP pastors for kidnapping, human trafficking and holding people against their will, but the Davao City Prosecutor dismissed the cases saying that they had no basis and insufficient.

The refugees are not used to life in the city. They say that they don’t need pity; they need justice. They want to return to their homes, the lands and their livelihoods to once again earn their living with dignity. But they have a firm demand before they go back: disband and disarm the paramilitary units and pull out the military from their communities. In other words, stop militarization in their area.

We support the just demand of the lumad. It is their right to go back to their own homes and be assured to live in peace. This is the least that the government can do – leave them in peace.

“Soon the wicked will disappear; you may look for them, but you won’t find them; but the humble will possess the land and enjoy prosperity and peace” (Psalms 37:10-11, NEV).