Militarization, Mining slammed in 24th Cordillera Day

The spirit of Macliing Dulag is alive in the Cordillera people who continue to defend their ancestral domain against plunder and militarization.

The Binongan tribe stands firm in the face of military harassment in areas where mining operations are threatening to destroy their land. Nicolas Costales, a local leader, vowed that mining operations in their community will be met with strong resistance. His vow was one of the voices of indigenous people that were raised in rhythm with other struggling indigenous peoples and various sectors from local, national and international groups who converged at the celebration of 24^th Cordillera Day last April 24-25 in Abra.

Representatives from the Irish Human Rights Center, University of Wellington New Zealand, United Church of Canada, Asian Women Coalition, Gabriela USA, and US-based Phelps Dodge read out resolutions condemning the exploration and drilling activities in Baay Licuan without consent from the affected communities. Likewise, the Binongan tribe signed a resolution rejecting the conduct of FPIC or free prior and informed consent in Baay Licuan.

Considered as the Mecca of the Cordillera, the Cordillera Day was celebrated this year amidst the worsening economic and political turmoil in the country. Cordillera leaders who came after Ama Macliing Dulag sacrificed their lives in their struggle for land, life and resources.

Cordillera Day has been held all over the Cordillera region with particular focus per celebration, in response to issues affecting the host communities and the national concerns as well. The host in this year’s celebration is the province of Abra, 8 hours travel from Metro Manila. At least 3,000 to 4,000 people, including the O.carm-JPIC and other church groups gathered in Baay Licuan, 4 hours travel from Bangued. Rich in gold and uranium, Baay Licuan is standing up against the Olympus Pacific Minerals and its local partners, Abra Mining Industrial Corp. (AMIC) and Jabel. These companies violated an existing government policy when it started its exploration and drilling activities without the proper consultation with the people of the Binongan tribe of Baay-Licuan.

This year’s celebration was marked with greater resolve to resist mining plunder and state terrorism. In memory of the other martyrs who offered their lives, this year’s theme promised to defend individual and collective human rights under a regime that continues to cling to power through state terror and sell-out of our national patrimony. The participants affirmed commitment and unity with various indigenous groups from the Mt. Province, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Apayao, Ifugao, and Ilocos in their struggle against development aggression.

The Cordillera region under the regime is fast becoming a mining hotspot. An estimate of 1.2 million hectares of the Cordillera land area is opened up to mining applications. Thus, threatening the source of livelihood and culture of the Cordillera people. Presently, Abra province is being covered by Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA). Fourteen (14) exploration permits are under process and three Mineral Sharing and Production Agreements have been approved.

The program was opened by a ritual and ecumenical prayers led by elders and local churches in Abra. The participants exchanged experiences on their struggles against mining and the militarization in their communities. The event was highlighted by cultural presentations including a skit presented by Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera about the oppression and plunder of the ancestral domain of the Cordillera people, the traditional unity dance “pattung”, the playing of gongs and community chanting.

The event culminated with the forging of unity pact among the Binongan tribes against mining operations. Each group also presented their respective resolutions and petitions calling for the pullout of mining companies.

The celebration was spearheaded by the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) and the Kakailian Salakniban Tay Nagtaudan (Kastan), Timpuyog Dagiti Mannalon Ti Kalinga (TMK) and Alliance of Peasants in the Cordillera Homeland (Hapit Tako).