Cordillera IPs to join national minorities’ Lakbayan
October 10, 2016
More than 200 indigenous peoples from the Cordillera will join the historic caravan and alliance of Philippine IPs and Moro, also known as national minorities, from October 12-21, 2016. The national caravan dubbed as “Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan” (Journey of the National Minorities for Self-Determination and Just Peace), demonstrates the unity of the country’s national minorities to assert their right to self-determination – the right to fully control their land and resources, implement their own form of self-governance, and practice their culture, traditions and religion – and their aspiration for just peace.
“From the plains, valleys, mountains and to the farthest villages of the Cordillera, each of the major ethno-linguistic groups in the region will be represented in the national caravan and alliance of national minorities. The Cordillera contingent will carry the main issues of IPs in the region, including destructive mining and energy, human rights violations and militarization. We will press forward our struggle for genuine regional autonomy, especially in light of the pronouncement of President Duterte to put up federalism in the country, and against the control and plunder of our natural resources by private corporations such as the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, SN Aboitiz, and Chevron,” said Windel Bolinget, Chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA).
The Lakbayan delegates will be conducting lobby and dialogues with relevant government agencies to seek redress for local issues and problems confronting national minorities, press for social services, and demand accountability for human rights violations. Protest actions will also be held, which will carry the call for an independent foreign policy in support of the Duterte government’s stand to uphold our national sovereignty.
“As we support the ongoing peace talk between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), we will also promote our peace agenda to ensure the inclusion of IPs and our concerns in this crucial talks on socio-economic reforms,” added Bolinget.
Various cultural events and exchanges will be featured in the Kampuhan and in off-campus venues to promote IP culture and identity, and the Moro people’s issues and concerns. These include the Museo Lumad, Moro at Katutubo exhibition at the UP Diliman grounds, benefit concerts and cultural events, and cultural presentations on the issues of Moro and IPs in various events. The Kampuhan will serve as a venue for learning and exchange among IPs and Moro, and with groups and individuals from schools, churches, communities and various groups all over Metro Manila.
“As national minorities, both the Moro and IPs are struggling for self determination. During the Lakbayan, our unity and solidarity will be sealed in an assembly on October 14-15 that will establish our formal alliance as national minorities nation-wide. The assembly will tackle our analysis of national oppression or the violations to our self determination, our particular agenda for our inclusion in the peace talks, and the ways for national minorities to move forward in addressing the issues and problems that confront us,” added Bolinget.
The Cordillera delegation will be part of an expected 3,000-strong national minorities converging at the National Capital Region. Various activities are slated during the Lakbayan, including a Salubungan on October 13; Peace Forum at the Kampuhan; series of engagements with government agencies, House of Representatives, and mining and energy corporations; Kampuhan sa UP Diliman; and series of educational fora, and cultural and solidarity events. ***
Reference: Windel Bolinget, CPA Chairperson