Cagayan Valley tribal folks unite, hit ‘corporate greed’

At least 200 indigenous peoples and advocates gathered in Ilagan, Isabela from Sept. 11-13, 2015 for the Paddarafun 2015 to renew their commitment and strengthen their unity for the defense of life, land and resources against corporate greed. Paddarafun is an Ibanag term meaning gathering. The activity also served as the congress of Punganay Cagayan Valley, the widest and broadest organization of indigenous peoples in the Cagayan Valley region. The gathering became a venue for sharing of different issues and solidarity of indigenous peoples and advocates in Cagayan Valley.

From the mountain ranges and plains of Cagayan Valley, the Agtas, Kalingas, Ibannags, and IP migrants, they shared the same issues of land grabbing, destruction of environment and grave human rights violations. It is worrisome that there are allegations of direct involvement and the inaction of concerned government agencies to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and their communities.

Samuel Anongos, regional coordinator of Sulong Katribu Cordillera said in San Mariano, Isabela, the Agtas were displaced because of land grabbing, corporate logging and the government sponsored National Greening Program (NGP).

The Agtas shared their mountain resources and river systems were being depleted and polluted because of unprecedented logging activities. Compounding to their problem was the NGP of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources which according to the Agta was instrumental in their displacement. The Agta also lamented that they are not anymore allowed to hunt and gather food and resources for their survival within their ancestral territories for fear of being shot by the logging concessioners and warlords.

In Matusalem, Roxas, Isabela, different migrants and other settlers are suffering continuing violations from security forces of Isabela State University due to their continuing occupation to a public land being claimed by the university. According to their testimonies, since 2010, around 1000 residents of Matusalem, experienced grave human rights violations. As of this writing, at least three cases of extrajudicial killings, one case of enforced disappearance, and filing of trump up charges against their members and leaders. They also claim that the Roxas police is not doing enough to investigate their cases.

In Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya, IP migrants and settlers also shared their fair share of the problems. Based from their testimonies, since the entry of Oceana Gold corporation in Didipio, their lives were never the same. OceanaGold is flattening their mountains through open-pit method and the continuing pollution of its rivers. They also stated that OceanaGold is violating their collective rights as IPs. 

With all these problems besetting indigenous communities in Cagayan Valley, they vowed to strengthen Punganay Cagayan Valley as their regional formation for the defense of life, land and resources.

The gathering also agreed to support progressive party list such as Sulong Katribu and candidates in their hope to have a voice in the halls of congress.

Sulong Katribu supports the IPs in Cagayan Valley in their struggle for life, land and resources. Their issues are also the primary agenda of Sulong Katribu in its advocacy and campaign.

Different advocates and organizations also supported their congress such as the Katinnulong Dagiti Umilii ti Amianan, KATRIBU- Kalipunan ng mga Katutubo sa Pilipinas, Redemptorist Church and Sulong Katribu.