THERE are news of kidnappings and killings by paramilitary or by militarization even through the use of aerial bombings. Constant harassment and threats have become part of the menu of the day for indigenous people. If you have not kept abreast with the news about the violence, it is time to start. It is not the place of this study to cite cases but to merely present gathered thoughts of how our brothers and sisters live. This is our country. It is our people, especially those who have to bear the hazards of mining and logging who should benefit the most from the activities within their ancestral domain. Let us all remember we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This should be the normal but it is always unreachable for the poor.
But the indigenous people live in yet more abnormal times with mining companies and logging firms who are obstacles to the fulfillment of human dreams and aspirations. We have to remember that the Lumads are sitting on top of our natural resources — both mineral and forest. We speak about the splendor and grandeur of wealth within the area with a list of activities that affect the people living within said territory, but there are still a myriad of problems but it seems nothing seems to be happening to benefit them.
According to the news site Rappler, in their internet posting on “Fast Facts about Mining,” the Philippines is the fifth most mineral-rich country in the world. The late President Cory Aquino opened up the country to foreign mining investors due to the cash strapped position of her government after the plunder of the Marcoses.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel for the Indigenous people? During the time of Gina Lopez as the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Lumads appealed to her to close the new open pit mines, and tailing ponds, as well as operations of big mining firms that have severely affected their livelihoods and encroached on their lands. They also asked for protection against logging activities that were destroying their watershed, which simply had to be stopped.
Moreover, there was the need to stop militarization in their areas. Lumad children have no access to education, as proven by the fact that 9 out of 10 lumad children are out of school and the school facilities left are used for military purposes or they are subjected to by indiscriminate bombardment.
Lopez was ready to order the suspension of 23 mining operations but that was put on hold as her appointment as cabinet member was not confirmed.
This brings us to another question, and a big one at that. Was the appointment of Gina Lopez only pakitang tao? Who knows? Definitely, this is again the age-old problem of leaders with no political will to ensure the safety of indigenous peoples and cultural communities, the environment or any moral obligation that comes with being part of the community of nations.
When the forests are gone, when the gold has been shipped out, when the watersheds are wasted, when the soil and water and the air has become polluted, what will happen to the Lumads? In the end, what will happen to the Philippines, and eventually to humanity? We are all just tiny dots but tiny dots are interconnected with one another. Tiny dots form humanity. There is only one planet, one world.
Don’t bank on an outer space adventure. For sure you won’t be the first rider out to space, in a planet yet to be found, explored and “humanized.” Nor would you want to be.
Walk once in a while in the “shoes” of lumads, prisoners, and families of those killed by extrajudicial killings. These are good conscience-walks that are healthy as your daily workout to maintain good health and good looks. (To be continued/PN)
