Joma Sison on indigenous peoples, destruction of ancestral lands

Culture Trends

Piya Macliing Malayao and Lea Fullon

International League of People's Struggles (ILPS) chairperson Prof. Jose Maria Sison called for the intensification of resistance against the destruction of ancestral lands in a video message delivered during the 4th National Congress of indigenous peoples organization Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP) on Tuesday.

In his video message, Sison stressed the importance of strengthening KAMP as a national indigenous peoples’ organization and the justness of the indigenous peoples’ intensifying struggle.

“It is just for the indigenous peoples to intensify their struggle against their massive dislocation and destruction of their ancestral lands which the national government escalated in the name of what they call ‘development,’”Sison said.

These projects and investments include large-scale mining, logging, dam and energy projects, plantations, real estate and tourism projects, Sison said.

Sison added that these projects are supported and implemented by the state and tainted with corruption and state terrorism. Opposition against these are faced by the brutal reaction from state security forces and led to numerous killings, harassment and other human rights violations against leaders and members of indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities.

Sison also discussed how the indigenous peoples have become victims of physical and economic dislocation in the creation of special economic zones encroaching on ancestral lands. He also underscored the effects of the de facto return of United States bases due to the enactment of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) entered into by the Aquino administration.

Sison criticized the Aquino administration’s inattention to the problems raised by indigenous peoples through its agency, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. 

“The IPRA remains ineffective in stopping land grabbing and plunder of resources by foreign and local capitalists. The NCIP has organized ‘consultations’ only to persuade the indigenous communities to allow the entry of a mining or energy company by presenting only the supposed benefits of the projects,” Sison said.

Piya Macliing Malayao, spokesperson and national coordinator of KAMP said that Sison’s message addressed the key issues of indigenous peoples in the country.

“We thank Professor Jose Maria Sison and the ILPS for giving time to express support and solidarity to the indigenous peoples of the Philippines and our struggles. We will strive to lead the indigenous peoples’ local struggles against projects destroying our lands and lives and contribute to the overall advancement of the Filipino peoples’ struggle for genuine national freedom and democracy.”