Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that 21 members of an indigenous community group were harassed by security guards on a ranch. The perpetrators pointed their guns at the victims, who belong to a group actively opposing the expansion of an oil palm plantation in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Katungod Lumad alert)
On 16 October 2015, at 9:30 in the morning, five security guards of Denosta’s ranch harassed and fired at 21 members of a Higaonon indigenous tribe in Sitio Inayaw, Opol, Misamis Oriental. Jessi Ragmac, 27 years old, was hit in the hand while another victim Giovanni Jaudian, 35 years old, was hurt while when he fell during the commotion. The guards allegedly also pointed their guns at the victims’ women companions.
According to the victims, they were attending to their crops when the guards appeared and demanded who their leader was. The guards reportedly said that Leo Paguidopon, land caretaker, “ordered them to kill anyone” who entered the ranch.
The Bagocboc village was first occupied by Higaonon families, and Sitio Inayaw is part of their ancestral domain. In 1974, a certain Ella Y. Denosta leased the area from the government and converted it into a ranch, now managed by Paguidopon. The area was later fenced, which forced the Higaonon families out to the adjacent areas. Over the decades, some areas became unused and fences were destroyed.
On 14 October 2014, pushed by hunger, Higaonon families from nearby areas started to till the idle land to survive.
The victims were all members of Pangalasag (Indigenous Shield), a community-based member organisation of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organisation, which has been active since 2011 in the campaign against expansion of an oil palm plantation in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about the following cases.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defender.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Indigenous people harassed by private guards in Misamis Oriental
Name victims:
1. Jessi Ragmac, 27 years old, shot in the hand
2. Giovanni Jaudian, 35 years old, injured while when he fell during the commotion.
3. 21 members of a Higaonon indigenous tribe
Alleged Perpetrators: Five security guards under the supervision of land caretaker Leo Paguidopon.
Date of incident: 16 October 2015 at 9:30 in the morning
Place of incident: Sitio Inayaw, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
I am writing to voice my concern at the harassment of Higaonon community members.
On 16 October 2015, at 9:30 a.m., 21 Higaonons were harassed and fired upon by five security guards in the ranch in Sitio Inayaw, Opol, Misamis Oriental. The guards received an order from the land caretaker Leo Paguidopon to kill anyone who entered the ranch.
The victims were attending to their crops when guards appeared and demanded who their leader was.
Pushed by hunger, the Higaonons started tilling the idle land that is part of the ranch to survive in October 2014.
The victims were all members of Pangalasag (Indigenous Shield), a community-based member organisation of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organisation, which has been active since 2011 in the campaign against expansion of an oil palm plantation in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
I urge you to investigate this case properly and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. I urge you to ensure that RA 8371 or The Indigenous of People’s Rights Act is used to uphold the rights of the indigenous people.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Benigno Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
2. Mr. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
3. Police Director Ricardo Marquez
Chief
Philippine National Police (PNP),
Camp General Rafael Crame,
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax +632 7248763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph
4. Ms. Leila de Lima
Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: soj@doj.gov.ph
5. Ms. Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo
Chair
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
2/F N. dela Merced Bldg. corner West &
Quezon Ave., Quezon City
Tel: +63 2 373 9942
Thank you,
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
