Mindanao:
A Militarized and Plundered Land
Source : www.manilakbayan.org
Posted by Belarmino Dabalos Saguing
Rome, Italy 02 November 2015
Attacks on
Schools
Indigenous community schools in Mindanao have been targeted for closure,
encampment, vilification, and harassments. These schools have been initiated by
Lumad community organizations, with assistance from non-government
organizations and support groups, in response to the need to address high
illiteracy rates in rural areas. Since April 2015, Lumad children of Talaingod
in Southern Mindanao have been holding classes in an evacuation center after
their schools were ordered closed and
after soldiers have encamped in their communities. The same experience of
attacks prevails among Manobo, Banwaon, and Mamanwa children in Caraga; Blaan
and Tboli children in Socsksargen region; and Higaonon and Manobo children in
Northern Mindanao
Attacks
on our
Communities
Militarization of communities has led to forcible evacuations of Lumads.
Their livelihood has been disrupted. Community infrastructure like schools,
clinics, collective farms have been destroyed. Using the classic
divide-and-rule approach, the AFP has organized, armed, and trained indigenous
para-militaries to fight against their kin.
Attacks on our People
Advocates against big mining, plantations, and other extractive projects, as well as teachers and students,
have been lodged with fabricated criminal suits. They are facing threats to
their lives.n Several of those who find their names in the AFP’s “order of
battle hit list” have become victims of summary executions.
Support
our Calls
Stop Oplan Bayanihan, the Aquino government’s war against the people No to
Big Mining and Plantations!
Cancel all mining permits! Stop plantation expansion!
Stop the Attacks on our Schools!
Pull out military troops from our schools and communities!
Rescind Department of Education Memorandum 221 or the
militarization of schools!
Stop the Attacks on our Communities!
Disband all indigenous paramilitaries!
Indemnify rural communities displaced by militarization!
Stop militarization in rural and urban communities!
Stop the Attacks on our People!
Justice for all victims of extra- judicial killings by the Aquino
government!
Drop false criminal charges against our community and sectoral leaders!
DEFEND MINDANAO
FROM MILITARIZATION AND PLUNDER!
Support
Manilakbayan
2015
We in Mindanao are fighting to defend our schools, communities, and people
from militarization and plunder.
Manilakbayan 2015 is a people’s caravan from Mindanao to Manila, to bring
the voices of indigenous peoples and peasant communities to the national
capital.
At the doorstep of the Presidential Palace and before the national
platform, we vow to demand justice for victims of extrajudicial killings, to demand the dropping
of false charges against our leaders and people, to press for the pull out of
military troops from our schools and communities, and to clamor for the
disbandment and disarming of paramilitaries. Manilakbayan 2015 needs the
participation of the people in Manila and the solidarity of peoples all over
the world.Mindanao needs your active support!
How you can help
JOIN the Manilakbayan from Mindanao to Manila
WRITE letters to government agencies and international bodies to call attention
to our plight
EDUCATEyour community/group about the situation in Mindanao and our calls for
justice
MOBILIZEa demonstration, media event or any gathering on the Global Week of Action
for Mindanao on December 3-9, 2015
DONATE and support the cause for human rights and ecological justice
T: +63 82
327 2719
E:
support.manilakbayan@gmail.com
W: www.manilakbayan.org
FB: manilakbayan ng Mindanao
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