CHR cautions Palace on plan to open Lumad lands to investors
The commission said that any development plans must take into consideration the rights of ownership and possession of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples to their ancestral domains, which are protected under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act. AP/Bullit Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday reminded the Malacañang to be cautious in its plan to find investors to develop the ancestral lands of the Lumad.
“While the president’s intention is to generate economic activity toward alleviating poverty in the Lumad area, it is vital to be circumspect when it comes to development plans involving ancestral domains,” CHR said in a statement.
The commission said that any development plans must take into consideration the rights of ownership and possession of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples to their ancestral domains, which are protected under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act.
“For the ICCs and IP, ancestral lands are sacred—their very identity and life are anchored on the land that their ancestors have nurtured and fought for with blood and sweat,” it said.
CHR stressed that the government must uphold the rights and well-being of the ICCs and IPs.
“Development plans must not supersede their welfare, identity and rights but must instead contribute to the strengthening and enhancement of their plight,” the commission said.
Speaking before Lumad leaders, Duterte on February 1 said he would personally choose the investors who would develop their ancestral domains to spur economic activity in the region.
In a press briefing Monday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that opening economic opportunities in Lumad communities would reduce poverty and eventually drive away members of the New People’s Army.
He clarified that bringing in investors does not mean that the Lumad would be expelled from their ancestral lands.“It is not ethnocide. He (Duterte) is not forcibly removing them from their ancestral domains.”
Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao secretary general Duphing Ogan called Duterte’s plan a “total sell-out.”
Ogan accused Duterte of encouraging the plunder of the environment and natural resources instead of telling the indigenous people to protect their lands from the hands of landlords and foreign investors.
READ: Duterte’s plan on use of Lumad's ancestral lands a ‘total sell-out’ — group
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