December 04, 2015 , 05:29pm

Toronto Pinoys concerned about Lumad, mining issues

Gathering that discussed and raised concerns about human rights abuses in the Philippines

Scarborough event tackles human rights violations in Mindanao

By Mark A. Cadiz

Human rights violations in the Philippines was once again in the spotlight at a local Filipino gathering in Scarborough Southwest in Toronto.

In a recent event and community gathering held by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines-Canada (ICHRP-Canada), a network of organizations concerned about human rights, raised the issue of the Indigenous peoples in Mindanao (referred to as Lumad) directly impacted by mining explorations of multi-conglomerate companies from overseas.

“It is basically about human rights. And as fellow human beings we are being called to defend the rights and dignity of others,” ICHRP Coordinator and human rights advocate Bern Jagunos said. “And for Canadians, there is a close link between the militarization of indigenous lands and mining activities.”

Many foreign companies including Canadian corporations have permits to explore the resource-rich Lumad lands in Mindanao creating a clash of interests. Both the government and the mining industry are at odds with local communities and leaders, ending up in the militarization of the area according to Jagunos.

Since one of the priorities of the Philippine government is resource development, extraction through mining is a big part of its overall plan to attract foreign investment.

MP Bill Blair with Rev. Dante Coloma of Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and other guests
(PHOTO: MARK CADIZ)

The newly elected MP of Scarborough Southwest and former Police Chief, Bill Blair, also attended the event at St. Dunstan’s church.

When asked why he felt it was important to attend the event his response was simple.

“This is an issue that was being addressed at St. Dunstan of significant concern to many members of the Filipino community and I wanted to come out and learn more about the issue and give people an opportunity to share their concerns.”

“There are many diverse communities in Scarborough Southwest and perhaps one of the largest and important of those communities is the Filipino community,” Blair said.

Also at the event was Reverend Dante Coloma one of the ministers involved in raising awareness of the desperate situations Lumads encounter. He was extremely concerned about the militarization of the Lumad lands and the long lasting negative impact on its people.

PHOTO: MARK CADIZ

“We are here to really express our solidarity for their struggles, joys and hopes to defend their ancestral domain, which is the land…the land for them is life and we are here to pray for them,” he said.

Jagunos says companies are aware that they cannot proceed with operations even if they have the rights to explore and mine. In the Philippines companies need to undertake what is identified as free, prior and informed consent which states that companies cannot force Indigenous communities to leave and require consent from the locals before continuing with any mining projects. Yet military groups are resorting to extreme tactics.

In a report handed out to attendees it stated that 58 Lumads and advocates of indigenous peoples’ rights were killed since 2010, 14 were killed in the last six months. Under these attacks at least 40,000 Lumads have been forced to leave their ancestral lands and evacuate to nearby towns and cities.

Recently, an open letter was sent to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III by concerned Canadians. Find the letter here, http://on.fb.me/1NKnnDx.