By RONALYN V. OLEA
Mangyans try to survive by farming and yet they are discriminated against; buyers of their produce try to cheat them; mining companies displace them; and the military accuses them of aiding NPA guerrillas and harasses them, or worse, kills some of them.
By RONALYN V. OLEA ABRA DE ILOG, Occidental Mindoro – Ernie Uybad, 25, a Hanunuo-Mangyan, said the miserable conditions of his fellow tribesmen encouraged him to start teaching. “Most of the Mangyans could not even write their names. Often, they are being fooled whenever they sell their goods because they do not know how to…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Special Report: A Difficult Life for Mangyans (1st of 4 parts) Mining, Dams, Other Projects Threaten to Displace Mangyans (2nd of 4 parts) Soldiers Terrorize Mangyan Communities? (3rd of 4 parts) Bringing Hope to Mangyan Communities (Last of 4 parts) ABRA DE ILOG, Occidental Mindoro – Besides threats of large-scale mining,…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Special Report: A Difficult Life for Mangyans (1st of 4 parts) Mining, Dams, Other Projects Threaten to Displace Mangyans (2nd of 4 parts) Soldiers Terrorize Mangyan Communities? (3rd of 4 parts) Bringing Hope to Mangyan Communities (Last of 4 parts) ABRA DE ILOG, Occidental Mindoro – Amid the destitution being suffered…
By FR. RAYMOND AMBRAY Bulatlat.com The fourth graduation ceremony of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) held on March 15, 2011 had a special character as it was attended by Jozef Naudts, the first secretary of the Belgian Embassy in Manila, together with Anne Bloemen. Ambassador H.E Christian Meerschman who also intended…
In today’s commercialized culture, love is often expressed through gifts of 18-karat gold rings, pendants or necklaces. The means employed in the extraction of the gem, however, are far from romantic. By EDWIN C. MERCURIO Bulatlat.com TORONTO, Canada – Hidden from the watchful eyes of the North American and European public, the operations of transnational…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Various groups called for the immediate release of a leader of indigenous peoples who was recently arrested in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. Ernesto Bubod, 54, a Kalanguya-Igorot and vice chieftain of Sitio Maluyon, Brgy. Villarica, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, was taken by five armed men in plainclothes who posed as…
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“This is an issue of life-and-death not only for the indigenous peoples but also for the whole nation. If all of the mining projects will push through, the damage on the environment and on the people’s lives would be irreparable,” Joan Jaime of Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Kamp) said.
Sidebar: Philippine Mining Industry A Source of Profits for TNCs, A Curse to Communities
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Contrary to government claims, the entry of mining transnational corporations has not improved the lives of the Filipino people and the economy as a whole.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Soldiers belonging to the 73rd Infantry Battalion forced 10-year old Jimboy Saya to hold a chain of sub-machine gun bullets and carry an M-16 rifle. The soldiers then photographed the child and distributed it to local media with the caption “NPA child warrior going to school in Dlumay.”
By Kimberlie Olmaya Ngabit-Quitasol Northern Dispatch Reposted by Bulatlat.com The determination of the people of Lacub, Abra is like a mighty river mastering mountain slopes and rugged valleys flowing toward the open sea. This determination has been described in songs Salidummay and Danum written by Dapayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK, Center for Cordillera Peoples…