Dr Derek Wall, International Coordinator for the Green Party praises Indigenous peoples protest for human rights and ecology in Philippines
Dr. Wall said: “The failure of the climate talks at Doha is made all the more visible and terrifying by recent events on Mindanao, which is one of the major islands that make up the Philippines. It has been reported over the weekend that over 900 people are still missing, feared dead, after Hurricane Pablo. We know with accelerating climate change, extreme weather is increasingly becoming the new and tragic normal.
“However, effective resistance to climate chaos is increasingly coming from indigenous people and peasants. They are the people who are affected the most by environmental problems, and they are organising to promote real solutions. An extractivist economy where human rights are trampled on in the drive for more fossil fuels and minerals is simply unsustainable. Indigenous people are shouting out that an alternative is possible.
“The Green Party of England and Wales applauds the efforts of the Mindanao indigenous community. It is clear that hurricane Pablo did so much damage to the island of Mindanao because deforestation from destructive projects, such as the mines, has reduced tree cover and other natural defences. Indigenous people, despite laws that in theory protect their land rights, are harassed and often killed by militias. They are often displaced to make way for mines and plantations.
“The recent indigenous march to the Philippines capital of Manila must be a wake up call, not just for the government of Philippines, but for all of us that are tackling climate change. It means respecting the rights of indigenous people and moving to an economy based upon principles of respecting future generations rather than short-term profit.
“Seventy-four delegates of the diverse indigenous groups of Mindanao have just completed a march to Manila to protest at the assaults they have suffered from militias linked to mining interests.
“I would urge all of us who care about human rights, the environment and peace of support the efforts of the Mindanao indigenous community.”
Officials from the Philippines note that 'Illegal logging and mining has stripped many hillsides bare in Mindanao, which has forest cover of only 10 percent. Deforestation means flash floods flow unimpeded, leading to cataclysmic land and mud slides that can bury whole towns.
The representatives of the Luman allege that members of their community have been killed for refusing to hand over land to mining corporations on the island, noting:
'This is a historic moment for us Lumad (Mindanao indigenous peoples), Moro people, environment advocates and human rights defenders, coming together with you Metro Manila and Luzon people, as we journey towards justice and genuine peace.
We are now here because Manila needs to listen to the marginalized peoples of Mindanao. It is ironic that Mindanao is considered the food basket, the wellspring of many natural, mineral and aquatic resources; but it is also the most neglected in terms of services, as these resources are plundered by foreign multinational corporations in cahoots with the government.
Mindanao is also one of the most bloodied places since the Aquino administration began in mid-2010. Thirty-five of our fellow community leaders have been killed for defending our land and our environment, more than 1,000 families displaced; more leaders have been harassed, survived assassination and faced false charges in courts in order to silence us. '