Letter to Inquirer - Responding to TVI’s ‘side’ on Canatuan mining row
18th July 2007
Dear Sir/Madam,
We note the letter of TVI’s Director of Public Affairs, Rocky Dimaculangan (TVI explains side on Canatuan mining row, Inquirer, 7/5/07), in response to Daxim Lucas’s article on the supposed revitalisation of the mining industry (“Mining is poised for takeoff, but old woes persist,” Inquirer, 6/11/07).
As noted by Mr. Dimaculangan, the original article was not only objective, but also correct in the portrait it painted. Therefore in response to the allegations he laid out we would like to offer the following rebuttals to his letter.
1. Mr. Dimaculangan claims that Timuay (tribal chief) Jose Anoy has been repudiated by his own community and was voted out of leadership of the Siocon Subanon Association Inc. (SSAI), which is recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples as the legal representative of the Canatuan Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders.
In reality the SSAI has no standing or authority in relation to the Ancestral Domain claim and title other than that improperly given to it by TVI. The official claimants to the CADT are not defined by membership of SSAI, nor are they required to be. SSAI has no standing or authority in Subanon culture, and therefore has no legitimate role. The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) law requires that the recognised decision-makers within a CADT are leaders chosen according to traditional custom and practice. Timuay Anoy is indeed the recognised leader according to such a definition, and has been confirmed as such by the Subanon’s regional traditional judicial body, the Gukom. TVI itself has recently acknowledged the authority and standing of the Gukom, when it proposed to submit to ‘tribal justice’ after a recent incident where TVI security guards are alleged to have assaulted the daughter of Timuay Anoy within the ancestral domain.
The claim that Timuay Anoy is not a legitimate leader is based on divisions to which TVI has regrettably contributed. SSAI was formed in the early 1990s as a SEC registered vehicle to assist the people of Canatuan in securing their land rights. It was founded and led by Timuay Anoy. However in 2001 an improperly constituted meeting, which was initiated by Subanon supportive of the company - including employees of TVI and some who had no legitimate land rights on Mt Canatuan – led to a group usurping power within SSAI. The history of this shabby act has been well documented and continues to be disputed. TVI unwisely chose to recognise and support the usurpers, thereby intensifying community division and conflict. Yet despite company backing SSAI has failed to gain general credibility, and divisions have intensified. Such internal conflict is frequently produced by mining companies entering a community.
2. Mr. Dimaculangan claims that Mount Canatuan is not sacred, and that elements are using the mountain’s “sacredness” as a rallying cry in international discourse.
Such a position is deeply offensive. If TVI wish to learn respect for the people whose land they occupy they had best start by not seeking to “educate” the Subanon as to their own beliefs and sacred sites. What basis does a Canadian company have to argue it knows better than the Subanon themselves whether an area is sacred or not? Respected regional Subanon organisations, such as the Gukom and Pigsalabukan Bangsa Subanon, confirm the sacredness of the mountain in documenting local custom and practice. Indeed, interviews have attested that the small-scale miners and Zamboanga Wood, who previously logged in the area, both recognised that the mountain was sacred in their dealings with the traditional leadership. It is only TVI, who have now removed the whole mountain-top, who have sought to deny it.
3. Mr. Dimaculangan claims that TVI has IP consent in Canatuan (notably a memorandum of agreement with the SSAI).
This “agreement” is the basis of regular payments to the officers and lawyer of SSAI and the members of a Council of Elders, which was invented in 2002. It is perhaps unsurprising therefore that they have endorsed the company. The continuing dispute is whether the individuals who choose to collaborate with TVI have any legitimate authority. It is this that is strongly disputed and rejected both by the original Subanon inhabitants of the region and by their neighbouring communities who know that the structures established to legitimize TVI’s occupation, themselves lack legitimacy.
4. Mr. Dimaculangan claims that “Anoy is not a Timuay”.
Aside from the points already made in support of Timuay Jose Anoy, it is noteworthy that the provincial NCIP office has recently validated Timuay Anoy as a leader. It agrees that he is the correct person to head the body to engage in the FPIC process that TVI now requires for the expansion of their activities within the CADT. As part of this process, TVI staff attended a locally organised meeting in front of the community as recently as 17th June 2007. This would seem to suggest that TVI is now recognising Timuay Anoy, so perhaps Mr. Dimaculangan is out of step with his colleagues in continuing with this disrespect, or would he care to offer a clarification?
Unsurprisingly the request for new FPIC was rejected. In fact, according to reports of the meeting, a qualified apology of sorts for some of the grave violations of rights was given by TVI’s new Vice President for Social Commitments. While this was welcomed it seems many of those present felt it went in no way far enough. Perhaps more importantly during that open meeting one of TVI’s supporters, who was appointed by NCIP as a member of the so-called Council of Elders, admitted she had no standing as a traditional leader and paid a penalty for falsely claiming to be so.
In conclusion as Mr Dimaculangan notes in his letter, TVI has indeed continued to make these sort of points over the last several years. Indeed it has been these assertions that have been the basis of their being allowed to proceed to mine gold on Mount Canatuan and have resulted in millions of dollars of profits for their company, but also resulted in the militarization of the area, as well as violence and the forced removal of local residents. Fortunately repetition of such self serving claims by hired spokespersons does not make these claims any more true or credible.
Mr. Geoff Nettleton sgd. (Coordinator, Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links)
Mr. Jaybee Garganera sgd. (National Coordinator, PhilDHRRA/ATM)
Ms. Jo Villanueva sgd. (Executive Director, LRC – KsK/FOE – Philippines)
Ms Anabelle Plantilla sgd. (Executive Director, Haribon Foundation)
For details, please contact:
Jaybee Garganera (0915-3153719), nc@phildhrra.org
Roy Calfoforo (0920-2970492), roycalf@gmail.com
John Vincent S. Cruz (0928-5028701, vince0925@yahoo.com
Tel # 02-4260385 or 02-4266740
Address: # 59 C. Salvador St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City (www.alyansatigilmina.org)
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Letter from Timuay Jose Boy Anoy, reply to July 7 Inquirer letter of TVI Rocky Dimaculangan
17th July 2007
I have just recently read the letter of TVI Resources Development Philippines Inc Director for Public Affairs, Mr. Rocky Dimaculangan reacting to the reported human rights violations committed by TVI wherein he defended his employer by attacking me, my tribe and our sacred mountain. ("TVI explains side on Canatuan mining row" 7/5/07)
Mr. Dimaculangan's letter betrays the mindset of the mining industry by which our rights as indigenous peoples are being violated.
TVI has been in our ancestral domain for only 13 years and yet its employees like Mr. Dimaculangan had readily abrogated unto themselves the authority to identify who our tribal leaders are and to declassifly our hallowed grounds. In those 13 years, TVI security forces declared themselves as sole authority for the entry of Subanons into Mt. Canatuan, demanding of me a permit or gate pass for me to enter my own area, and accosting and hurting my daughter for traversing in "TVI roads".
I understand Mr. Dimaculangan's gall in claiming that Mt. Canatuan is not sacred, one cannot hold sacred something if his pay depends on it being ravaged and razed to the ground. The same holds true for Mr. Dimaculangan's so called tribal leaders who he claims gave their consent, in exchange for royalties and employment.
Perhaps Mr. Dimaculangan has not been informed but his superiors TVIRD VP for Operations Yulo Perez and VP for Social Commitment Feliz Yeban, had been referring to me as Timuay (Tribal Chief), especially now that TVI has applied for expansion of its operations inside our ancestral domain. Being the recognized traditional tribal leadership structure by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the TVI needs our tribal council's Free, Prior and Informed Consent for its planned expansion.
Last June 17, TVI VP Feliz Yeban came to woo our council at the tribal hall of the Apu Manglang Gluba Pusaka where I hold court as direct blood descendant of Apu Manglang. In asking for our consent for TVI expansion, she asked forgiveness for the human rights violations that TVI committed in the past and promised it won't happen again.
Mr. Dimaculangan, please be guided accordingly.
Timuay Jose Boy Anoy
Tribal Chieftain
Apu Manglang Glupa Pusaka
Brgy Candiz, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
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Response from Timuay Fernando Mudai to TVI Inquirer letter
11th July 2007
I would like to react and say something about the explanation of Mr. Rocky Dimaculangan Director, Public Affairs, TVI Resources Development Philippines Inc. dated July 05, 2005 . Mr. Dimaculangan stated the following;
1.) Timuay Jose Anoy is not a Victim of Human Rights Violation nor affected of the said allegations, and the People of Canatuan is not evicted on their Ancestral Domain Area.
*I want to tell you a short story, before the occupancy of TVI in the area the house of Timuay Boy Anoy was erected or located within Canatuan, but upon the arrival and entry of TVI he was cast out from his area in the sense that every time he will enter to his home place the SCAA of TVI would request him to ask permit or gate pass for him to enter his own area and until this point of time this practice has continuously done by TVI, As a result of these, there were many affidavits executed in the Human rights Violations committed by TVI.
2.) According to him Timuay Jose Anoy’s leadership is rejected because of their reported alignment.
*Base on the Subanon Traditional Practices record shows that Timuay Boy Anoy has never been accused for both mismanagement, corruption, criminal case and other related cases before the Subanon Tribal Court and even in the Regular Court .
3.) Another Allegation of Mr. Dimaculangan, Mount Canatuan is not sacred as What the group of Timuay Boy Anoy claimed?
* I want to personally ask Mr. Dimaculangan, who is he to tell that to the Subanon People of Canatuan? Much more to declare it to the whole world that Mount Canatuan is not our sacred ground. When we ask the opinion of the Apo Manglang’s descendant Mount Canatuan is very much sacred because this is the only place where the MORTAL and IMMORTAL made a PEACE PACT, therefore Mr. Dimaculangan has no right to say that mount Canatuan is not a sacred mountain, IT IS WE the descendant of Apo Manglang who is in the position to declare it, not him.
4.) He identified, that he got a strong support from Subanon People approving the operation of TVI.
* In the first place, their identified Subanon People who supported the operation of TVI is the very person that TVI HIRED and PAID from the neighboring place of Canatuan.\
5.) He added that TVI operation has IPs consent.
* He is referring to the Memorandum of Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding made between them and the SSAI. I would like to comment on this matter, SSAI is not the right organization to represent in behalf of this Ancestral Domain, because I personally know that the group of Timuay Boy Anoy rejected and questioned the authenticity of SSAI, resulting to the creation of Tribal group which is APO MANGLANG G’LUP PUSAKA which is fitted to the Traditional Practices of Subanon People dealing and governing the Ancestral Domain. The group of Timuay Boy Anoy is the Recognized Tribal Leader of the area, where in fact there was already a letter submitted to MGB and NCIP Regional Office to stop acknowledging and recognizing the said group (ISAI) from the leadership of Ting Tumangkis down to Barangay Chairman Boy Pato of Tabayo.
Part of his statement, Timuoy Boy Anoy is not a Timuay or a Tribal Chieftain, who is he to announced it? Is he a Subanon who knows the Subanon Culture well? Or his origin came from Canatuan? Who is well verse on the history of Subanon Tribe on the area? He did not know what he’s talking about, he did not know the lineage, bloodline and genealogy of Timuay Boy Anoy. I can testify that Timuay Boy Anoy is the legitimate and pureblooded Traditional Leader because he is a descendant of Timuay Apo Manglang. Timuay could not be change by election nor by way of recalling his appointment because Timuay is not govern by election nor appointment but Timuay govern by Anointment, so Mr. Dimaculangan was not in the position to speak out who is Timuay Boy Anoy and the Subanon Leaders of Siocon, he was just PAID and HIRED by TVI to destruct our sacred mountain.(Mount Canatuan).
The statement of Mr. Dimaculangan that he got a strong support from Subanon people was purely a figment of their imagination because the original Subanon people of Canatuan never signed any papers in favor of TVI operation, the strong Subanon supporter that he is referring to, is the hired Subanon outside Canatuan headed by Atty. Bernardo.
The undersigned being a Project Management Coordinator of Pigsalabukan Bansa Subanon is also a descendant of Apo Manglang so I can attest you that Timuay Boy Anoy is the legitimate Timuay of Canatuan, and I also knew the real Timuay of Siocon and this observation was been clarified thru the validation of Traditional Leaders of Canatuan conducted last December 2, 2006 by the Provincial Officer of NCIP Dipolog City.
Timuay Fernando Mudai
PBS Program Management Coordinator
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TVI explains side on Canatuan mining row
Inquirer, http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=74863
5th July 2007
We laud Daxim Lucas for his objectivity on the issue of revitalizing mining. (“Mining is poised for takeoff, but old woes persist,” Inquirer, 6/11/07) Among the “woes” mentioned in his report were the human rights violations allegedly committed against indigenous peoples, Jose Anoy among them. Please allow us to present our side.
1. Anoy and other members of his tribe were never evicted from their ancestral domain. They were repudiated by their community and voted out of leadership of the Siocon Subanon Association Inc. (SSAI), which is recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples as the legal representative of the Canatuan Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders. Their leadership was rejected in part because of their reported alignment with what was believed by the community to be the evils of small-scale mining, which was operating illegally in Canatuan from the early 1990s until the early 2000s.
2. Mount Canatuan is not sacred. The only identifiable Subanons who seriously consider it sacred are members of anti-mining organizations who indirectly benefited from the above-cited small-scale mining in that mountain but who, after their leadership was rejected by the majority of their community, began using the mountain’s “sacredness” as a rallying cry in international discourse.
3. TVI’s presence in Canatuan has IP consent. As a gesture of good faith, TVI entered into a memorandum of understanding and, subsequently, a memorandum of agreement, with the SSAI for the development of Canatuan despite the fact that TVI secured its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement with the Philippine government prior to the issuance of the CADT to the Subanons.
4. Anoy is not a Timuay (tribal chief). Anoy’s lineage and status as a Timuay were challenged by many in the community because he did not come from the local community and because of other reasons.
Over the last several years, TVI has refuted these and many other allegations against the company in considerable detail, and those materials are available on the TVI website (www.tviphilippines.com).
Visitors to the website can also see the expanding list of the company’s successful efforts to help the Canatuan Subanons enjoy more of their human rights—including rights to development, health, education, employment, food, water and security, as well as sustainable development—in a better way.
TVI’s Canatuan Project enjoys the strong support of the Subanons who have joined in the common effort to judiciously use resources as a means of attaining economic and social progress. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish in Canatuan. We are inviting Lucas to our project site so that he will be able to see for himself and to talk to the real people who have benefited from these accomplishments.
ROCKY DIMACULANGAN,
director, public affairs,
TVI Resources Development Philippines Inc.,
22/F Equitable PCI Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City Philippines
--Mines and Communities
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Letter to President of the Philippines on the eviction by TVI of families from Canatuan
Letter to President of the Philippines on the eviction by TVI of families from Canatuan
Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
J.P.Laurel Street
San Miguel
Metro Manila 1005
Philippines
22nd February 2005
Madame President,
We are gravely concerned by the most recent reports from Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, regarding the activities of TVI, a Canadian mining company. These reports document in detail the threats and efforts of company personnel to evict local residents against their will, including some of the ancestral land holders of the area, to make way for mining activities. We appeal to you to intervene to prevent the perpetration of further human rights violations and injustices against the long suffering residents of Canatuan, Siocon, by ordering the withdrawal of the armed personnel of TVI and an immediate halt to their operations. We urge the need to hold a dialogue with local indigenous, civil society, church and local authority representatives in the immediate area to confirm the continued opposition of the people to TVI. There should be a credible independent inquiry into the illegality of current and past actions of TVI mining company personnel.
The substantial and long standing opposition to TVI among the Subanon of Canatuan and Siocon and of other local residents, the local municipal authorities, civil society and churches is a matter of public record. It is deeply regrettable that despite long standing protests the wishes of Indigenous Peoples and other local residents in Siocon have not been respected to date. It is even more regretful that government agencies and military units have been complicit in efforts to force local people to accept this unwelcome project against their wishes. Their rights should be protected by law, including those outlined in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (1997) and Mining Code (1995).
The Philippine Government is bound by domestic law and international commitments to uphold human rights. This includes the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their lands and their right to their homes and subsistence base. All citizens have the right to live in peace in their homes. Over the past 10 years TVI has maintained a regime in Canatuan which has included the establishment of checkpoints, the maintenance of a large armed security force and, the imposition of harsh controls on the entry of goods and materials, and the arbitrary exclusion of some local residents. Unarmed protestors have been beaten with sticks, abused, arrested and most recently shot at. The traditional leadership of the community opposed to TVI has been ignored and abused and a bogus pro company organisation belatedly established from among company employees and migrants, who have no traditional links to the land of Canatuan, to sign a consent to mining that lacks all credibility among the Subanon. This "leadership" and some of the government officials and company employees who conspired in its establishment have been denounced and fined by traditional leaders from across the region in their Gukom hearing of the issues in February 2004. The company has worked to subjugate, suppress and depopulate Canatuan. TVI has behaved in the manner of an abusive overlord going beyond any rights accorded to it, and has committed clear human rights violations, including several incidents of shooting and wounding of unarmed local residents.
We are further concerned that these latest efforts to evict long standing residents reveal, past reporting failures of TVI and, the failure of government agencies to adequately safeguard the interests of local Indigenous Peoples and other residents. The residents now being threatened
have long established houses, including many that predate TVI on the site.
TVI has proved to be an abuser of local rights. We call upon your government to protect Philippine citizens and to order a halt to the destructive mining operations of this Canadian company.
Yours sincerely,
(in alphabetical order of forename)
Aimee Beboso, Carleton University Filipino Students' Association (CUFSA), Canada
Alberto Achito, OREWA (organización regional indigena Embera Wounaan), Colombia
Alfonso Vanzijl, Multi-Sectoral Action Group of Aurora Province, The Philippines
Armand McKenzie, Innu Council of Nitassinan, Canada
Barbara Waldern, Chair, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Canada
Catherine Coumans, Ph.D., Research Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Cecilio Solís Librado, Asamblea Nacional Indígena Plural por la Autonomía (ANIPA), México
Christopher Abbott, Oxford Research Group, UK
Doug Booker, Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Canada
Elizabeth P. Dollaga, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (Vancouver), Canada
Eduardo C. de Guzman, Mindoro Assistance for Human Advancement thru Linkages, Inc. (MAHAL), Philippines
Emelina G. Regis, Institute for Environment Conservation and Research (INECAR), Philippines
Emily Caruso, Forest Peoples Programme, UK
Fr. Archie Casey SX, JPICC Coordinator, Xaverian Missionaries, Philippines
Fr. Frank Nally, Missionary Society of St. Columban, UK
Geoff Nettleton, Philippines Indigenous Peoples Links, UK
Gerard van Dorp, Asia Dept, Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV), Netherlands
Godofredo Galos, Save Siocon Paradise Movement, Philippines
Haroldo Salazar, Presidente de AIDESEP, Peru
Helen Leake, International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests, Thailand
Jaume Formosa i Esteva, Alternativa Solidaria - Plenty, Spain
Joan Carling, Chairperson, Cordillera Peoples Alliance, Philippines
Jocelyn M. Villanueva, LRC-KSK/Friends of the Earth-Phils., Philippines
Jorge Fedrick, Coordinador Nacional del Movimiento Indigena de Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Most Rev. Jose R. Manguiran, Bishop of Diocese of Dipolog, Philippines
Nicholas Hildyard, The Corner House, UK
Patricia Borraz, ALMACIGA, Spain
Roger Moody, Nostromo Research, UK
Siti Maemunah, JATAM, Mining Advocacy Network, Indonesia
Sylvia R. Mesina, Quezon City, Philippines
Ted & Cora Alcuitas, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Timuay Noval Lambo, Gukom of the Seven Rivers, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Tito Natividad Fiel, DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues, Philippines
Tony Clarke, Polaris Institute, Canada
Tracy Glynn, Memorial University's Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility, Canada
Washington Bolivar, Presidente del INECA, Peru
--Mines and Communities
Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
J.P.Laurel Street
San Miguel
Metro Manila 1005
Philippines
22nd February 2005
Madame President,
We are gravely concerned by the most recent reports from Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, regarding the activities of TVI, a Canadian mining company. These reports document in detail the threats and efforts of company personnel to evict local residents against their will, including some of the ancestral land holders of the area, to make way for mining activities. We appeal to you to intervene to prevent the perpetration of further human rights violations and injustices against the long suffering residents of Canatuan, Siocon, by ordering the withdrawal of the armed personnel of TVI and an immediate halt to their operations. We urge the need to hold a dialogue with local indigenous, civil society, church and local authority representatives in the immediate area to confirm the continued opposition of the people to TVI. There should be a credible independent inquiry into the illegality of current and past actions of TVI mining company personnel.
The substantial and long standing opposition to TVI among the Subanon of Canatuan and Siocon and of other local residents, the local municipal authorities, civil society and churches is a matter of public record. It is deeply regrettable that despite long standing protests the wishes of Indigenous Peoples and other local residents in Siocon have not been respected to date. It is even more regretful that government agencies and military units have been complicit in efforts to force local people to accept this unwelcome project against their wishes. Their rights should be protected by law, including those outlined in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (1997) and Mining Code (1995).
The Philippine Government is bound by domestic law and international commitments to uphold human rights. This includes the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their lands and their right to their homes and subsistence base. All citizens have the right to live in peace in their homes. Over the past 10 years TVI has maintained a regime in Canatuan which has included the establishment of checkpoints, the maintenance of a large armed security force and, the imposition of harsh controls on the entry of goods and materials, and the arbitrary exclusion of some local residents. Unarmed protestors have been beaten with sticks, abused, arrested and most recently shot at. The traditional leadership of the community opposed to TVI has been ignored and abused and a bogus pro company organisation belatedly established from among company employees and migrants, who have no traditional links to the land of Canatuan, to sign a consent to mining that lacks all credibility among the Subanon. This "leadership" and some of the government officials and company employees who conspired in its establishment have been denounced and fined by traditional leaders from across the region in their Gukom hearing of the issues in February 2004. The company has worked to subjugate, suppress and depopulate Canatuan. TVI has behaved in the manner of an abusive overlord going beyond any rights accorded to it, and has committed clear human rights violations, including several incidents of shooting and wounding of unarmed local residents.
We are further concerned that these latest efforts to evict long standing residents reveal, past reporting failures of TVI and, the failure of government agencies to adequately safeguard the interests of local Indigenous Peoples and other residents. The residents now being threatened
have long established houses, including many that predate TVI on the site.
TVI has proved to be an abuser of local rights. We call upon your government to protect Philippine citizens and to order a halt to the destructive mining operations of this Canadian company.
Yours sincerely,
(in alphabetical order of forename)
Aimee Beboso, Carleton University Filipino Students' Association (CUFSA), Canada
Alberto Achito, OREWA (organización regional indigena Embera Wounaan), Colombia
Alfonso Vanzijl, Multi-Sectoral Action Group of Aurora Province, The Philippines
Armand McKenzie, Innu Council of Nitassinan, Canada
Barbara Waldern, Chair, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Canada
Catherine Coumans, Ph.D., Research Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Cecilio Solís Librado, Asamblea Nacional Indígena Plural por la Autonomía (ANIPA), México
Christopher Abbott, Oxford Research Group, UK
Doug Booker, Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Canada
Elizabeth P. Dollaga, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (Vancouver), Canada
Eduardo C. de Guzman, Mindoro Assistance for Human Advancement thru Linkages, Inc. (MAHAL), Philippines
Emelina G. Regis, Institute for Environment Conservation and Research (INECAR), Philippines
Emily Caruso, Forest Peoples Programme, UK
Fr. Archie Casey SX, JPICC Coordinator, Xaverian Missionaries, Philippines
Fr. Frank Nally, Missionary Society of St. Columban, UK
Geoff Nettleton, Philippines Indigenous Peoples Links, UK
Gerard van Dorp, Asia Dept, Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV), Netherlands
Godofredo Galos, Save Siocon Paradise Movement, Philippines
Haroldo Salazar, Presidente de AIDESEP, Peru
Helen Leake, International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests, Thailand
Jaume Formosa i Esteva, Alternativa Solidaria - Plenty, Spain
Joan Carling, Chairperson, Cordillera Peoples Alliance, Philippines
Jocelyn M. Villanueva, LRC-KSK/Friends of the Earth-Phils., Philippines
Jorge Fedrick, Coordinador Nacional del Movimiento Indigena de Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Most Rev. Jose R. Manguiran, Bishop of Diocese of Dipolog, Philippines
Nicholas Hildyard, The Corner House, UK
Patricia Borraz, ALMACIGA, Spain
Roger Moody, Nostromo Research, UK
Siti Maemunah, JATAM, Mining Advocacy Network, Indonesia
Sylvia R. Mesina, Quezon City, Philippines
Ted & Cora Alcuitas, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Timuay Noval Lambo, Gukom of the Seven Rivers, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Tito Natividad Fiel, DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues, Philippines
Tony Clarke, Polaris Institute, Canada
Tracy Glynn, Memorial University's Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility, Canada
Washington Bolivar, Presidente del INECA, Peru
--Mines and Communities
Saturday, February 26, 2005
2005: SSAI Open Letter
SIOCON SUBANO ASSOCIATION INC. (SSAI)
Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
February 20, 2005
OPEN LETTER
TO:
PHILIPPINE IP LINKS
CHRISTIAN AID
MINING WATCH CANADA
DCMI
TEBTEBBA
KAIROS CANADA
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL
LRC – KSK
AND OTHER NGO’S SPEAKING AGAINST US WITHOUT SPEAKING TO US AND
WITHOUT DOING ANY GOOD FOR OUR PEOPLE
Dear Sirs:
I am Juanito Tumangkis, a pure blooded Subano, and since birth, 40 years
ago,
have stayed in Siocon, Zambaoanga del Norte. Together with my wife and
six children, I
am staying at Sitio Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. Also
my mother,
my four (4) brothers and two (2) sisters and their respective children
and hundreds of my
relatives live there.
I am the duly elected President of Siocon Subano Association Inc. (SSAI)
in the
election of October 10, 2004, pursuant to the mandate of the
Association’s by-laws that
calls for an annual election. I got 500 more votes than my opponent
Barangay Captain
Bonifacio Patoh. This is my second term because I was also elected as
President in the
election held on November 25, 2001. SSAI has members at the moment more than
2000. SSAI at present is the Administrator of the Certificate of
Ancestral Domain Title
(CADT) issued to all the Subanons of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
I am also the Chairman of the 30 member Council of Elders of the Subanons of
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, our policy making body.
I write to you on behalf of my people, men, women and children of
Subanons of
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, approximately 6000 in number. The Subanons are
simple, peaceful and loving people whose dreams are for the development
of their
ancestral domain, employment and freedom from poverty, among others.
Specifically, we ask you the following:
• We ask you to stop telling lies to the world about us.
• We ask you to stop listening to those who say they represent us, but
do not.
• We ask you to stop sewing conflict and strife in our community.
• We ask you to stop using us for your personal gain.
• We ask you to leave us to decide what is best for us.
1. You spread lies to the world that we are blind supporters of TVI. We
are not.
Instead, we are partners of TVI in the development of our ancestral
domain. This
partnership was institutionalized by virtue of our Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) in
November 2003. We allow them to mine our natural resources on specific
conditions,
that it is in accordance with our mining laws and the Indigenous Peoples
Rights Act
(IPRA) RA 8371 in addition to priority of employment for our people,
payment of royalty
fee, livelihood projects, development our area, improvement of our
roads, among others.
Many of these have already been provided by TVI.
Also, you spread lies by quoting Mr. Anoy that TVI has desecrated our sacred
place. The MPSA area of TVI does not embrace any of the sacred places we
claim.
The nearest sacred place is located at Lumingin Area more than 5
kilometers away.
You should be informed that Boy Anoy and Onsino Mato while they were
President and
Secretary of SSAI, respectively, from 1993 to 2001 allowed 100 small
scale miners to
operate within the MPSA area of TVI. If indeed, they consider the MPSA
area as sacred.
then they should not have allowed these small scale miners to operate there.
I add that because of what they did the small scale miners used Subanon
children ages 7 to 14 and women to work in their cyanide mills and paid
them a pittance
such as 30, 40, or 50 pesos per sack, and worst, they were paid
depending on the grade
of the gold and not based on the weight of the sack or distance from
where they carried
the ore.
The two (2) did not mind that the small scale miners whose operations were
illegal dumped their toxic wastes at Canatuan Creek killing the fish and
snails that we
used to get for our daily food. Also they cut our trees to construct
their illegal plants and
houses.
Also, you spread lies by stating that TVI does not have the support of
the Subano
community. Had you asked the real Subanons residing at Canatuan and
neighboring
areas, you would have known the truth. For the record, SSAI with more
than 2000
members, all Subanons, had expressly supported TVI’s operation. I recall
that in
October, 2001, the Board of Trustees of SSAI signed a MOU with TVI. On
October 15,
2002, the Subanon Council of Elders passed and adopted a Resolution
allowing TVI to
mine “open pit” within their MPSA area. Boy Anoy and Onsino Mato in fact
attended and
participated in the deliberation of the said resolution. Finally, in
November 2003, SSAI
and the Council of Elders signed with TVI a MOA.
Finally, you spread lies that TVI is evicting 86 Subanon families. Not one
Subano is being evicted by TVI. I know for a fact that three (3)
separate letters of
demand for reasons of safety were sent to Spouses Emmanuel and Gaga Gonzaga,
Ireneo and Luciano Calibo and Josie Gonzaga. But above three (3)
families are not
Subanons. They are Bisayans from far away towns and part of those
remaining small
scale miners who squatted, ransacked and mined our ancestral domain
without our free
prior informed consent (FPIC).
To set the truth, on January 9, 2005, the non Subanons within the ancestral
domain were called to a meeting by the Council of Elders as regards the
status of their
stay within. Accordingly, their stay was without FPIC. Many of them
attended and they
asked clarificatory questions. They were told that SSAI, if they are
willing, will accept
them as privilege members thru the issuances of yellow IDs, and will
extend to them all
the rights enjoyed by the Subanons except the right to vote and be voted
as officers of
SSAI. Further, they will be relocated and allotted lots at Tanuman
Relocation site. The
Council of Elders after February 28, 2005, will convene should they fail
to submit their
intention to join, to act on their status. They were even told that even
if they will choose
to be members of SSAI, their individual claims with TVI still remain
until their resolutions.
The reason for said invitation is based on RA 8371, as the IP community
has the right to
regulate the entries and occupation of migrants and corporations. In
short, these non-
Subanons who were branded in foreign press as Subanons, were not
evicted. Instead,
they were invited to join SSAI to make their stay within the ancestral
domain as legal.
Except for Boy Anoy and Onsino Mato, those who are opposed to TVI operation
are remnants of small scale miners who are non Subanons. They are
opposed to TVI
because what they are trying to get into their pockets.
2. So that you will not spread lies, do not listen to the following:
1. Jose Boy Anoy, because:
1.1. He is no longer the President of SSAI effective November 26, 2001.
1.2. He is half Subano, the mother being an Ilocana
1.3. He is NOT a Timuay. His father, Lumuyod Anoy from whom he should
inherit the title, is not a Timuay.
1.4. The local NCIP representative, Ponciano Agbadan, who is a Subano and a
resident of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, had stated that Boy Anoy is
coming from the blood line of “Bulian” (Religious Leader).
1.5. He has lost his credibility among the Subanons for receiving monies
from
small miners. When Cayabyab, a small miner, gave him a house at
Canatuan, he moved in from Paduan in 2000. He acted as the small
miners liaison as he led the application with the MGB (Mines and
Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources DENR) to convert the area as peoples mining area for the
benefit of the illegal miners.
1.6. He does not stay at Canatuan, or Paduan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del
Norte, any more.
2. Onsino Mato because
1. He is not from Barangay Tabayo but from Candis, Siocon, Zamboanga del
Norte.
2. He has lost his credibility among the Subanons for receiving monies from
small miners, and he was suspected to be involved in the 2 ambushes in
2002 resulting to the death of 13 Subanons and injuries to many.
3. Timuay Noval Lambo, because:
1. He is not from Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, but from
Barangay Lintangan, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, two (2) municipalities
away.
2. He has lost credibility as he allowed himself to be used by DCMI, an
antimining
NGO, and Philippine IP Links.
3. He has never consulted the Subano community of Siocon, particularly the
Council of Elders, of his plans and/or activities and SSAI.
4. He was never designated by the Subano community of Siocon to be a
spokesman on anything.
5. He has claimed falsely to be an expert on our people and our
traditions but
he is not from our area so how can he be?
4. Ofelia Davi, because she is not a Subanon; and therefore ignorant of
the ways,
culture and traditions of the Subanons.
5. Luni Lucas of Siocon because he allowed the small mining and is still
acting for
them and Anoy and Mato. As we gathered, per his representation, Mayor Cesar
Soriano at one time issued a mayor’s permits to some of the small miners.
6. Different NGO’s, particularly DCMI, Philippine IP Links, Christian
Aid, etc. as these
are not IP Subanon organizations and therefore do not know the true
sentiments,
aspirations and desires of the Subano community of Siocon. We have also not
authorized them.
3. We had already reached a major decision and that is to allow TVI to
operate
within our ancestral domain, as evidenced by the MOA we signed and the
Resolution of
October 15, 2002. We asked therefore that this decision of ours should
be respected by
you. We are big enough with sane minds to know what is best for the
Subanons of
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. Now that we are enjoying to reap the
dividends of the
MOA, such as royalty, good roads, electricity, employment, health,
school, livelihood
projects, do not inject anything in that relationship that will sow
conflict among us
Subanons and other tribes. TVI despite the distance and risk has shown
that it cares for
the welfare of the Subanons, and as we stay here in Canatuan we feel it,
we see it and
we enjoy it. Our people have been working in jobs, our babies have been
saved in
childbirth, our women have been learning to grow rice and vegetables. If
there is one
who could attest to it better, it is we, not anyone else. We do not want
to go back to the
days of small miners (1993 – 2001) where we, men, women and children, worked
virtually as their slaves. You should be proud and thankful of TVI for
helping the causes
and interests of the Subanons.
Our National Government knows better what is good for the IPs like us,
and we
are all supportive of its program for responsible mining and sustainable
development.
We are all for the development of our ancestral domain which to us is
the only visible
and viable solution to free us from ignorance and poverty.
4. Some NGO’s are using the Subanons of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, to get
donations from abroad. In their solicitation for donations, they depict
us as being
oppressed. Grants and/or donations are given for our cause but far from
reaching us,
these monies just stay at the hands of the NGO’s who solicit them.
What have the Churches and the NGOs done for us? They have not put one
peso into our community. For instance DCMI, leading the picket in March
2004 at
Pisawak to stop TVI bringing benefits to the Subano community, blocked
100 Subano
mourners who passed by after burying their dead relative. It has not
provided any
livelihood projects for us. It has not visited our ancestral domain to
teach us how to
plant, to read, to write or to take care our ancestral domain. It does
not help deliver our
babies safely or fight diseases in our homes. It does not even talk to
us who are the real
traditional leaders of our place. It brings NGOs here to only talk to
small miners and
Anoy and Mato and then tells lies to the world about us.
We are human beings, and we ought not to be depicted as ignorant and
poor for
the personal gains of these NGOs.
Finally, unless you are prepared to really help us, I ask you to leave
us alone,
because such right is enshrined in RA 8371, right to govern ourselves.
This unique right
of empowerment is given to us because as IPs, we use our customs,
traditions, culture
and usages in dealing with Mother Nature and our fellow men. Thus we
know better
than you do on how we could improve and protect ourselves within our
ancestral
domain.
Should you need further clarification as to any matter I state above,
please write
to me.
Very truly yours,
TIMUAY JUANITO TUMANGKIS
President
(The Siocon Subano Association Inc. (SSAI) was registered with the
Securities and
Exchange Commission in 1991 to represent the Subanon Indigenous People of
Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. At present, it has
around 2,000
Subano members. Timuay Juanito Tumangkis is also the Chairman of the Subanon
Council of Elders of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, whose legitimacy was
upheld by the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) per its decision on
June 1, 2004.
Said Council with a composition of 30 traditional tribal leaders is the
policy making body
of the Subano of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.)
Attorney Pablo Bernardo has assisted writing this letter and he is the
Chairman of the
Provincial Consultative Body of the Subanons of the entire Province of
Zamboanga del
Norte per the consensus of 175 delegates in the forum from January 28 –
30, 2005, held
in Dipolog City.
Copies furnished:
Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines
Philippines Media
Canadian Media
Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
February 20, 2005
OPEN LETTER
TO:
PHILIPPINE IP LINKS
CHRISTIAN AID
MINING WATCH CANADA
DCMI
TEBTEBBA
KAIROS CANADA
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL
LRC – KSK
AND OTHER NGO’S SPEAKING AGAINST US WITHOUT SPEAKING TO US AND
WITHOUT DOING ANY GOOD FOR OUR PEOPLE
Dear Sirs:
I am Juanito Tumangkis, a pure blooded Subano, and since birth, 40 years
ago,
have stayed in Siocon, Zambaoanga del Norte. Together with my wife and
six children, I
am staying at Sitio Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. Also
my mother,
my four (4) brothers and two (2) sisters and their respective children
and hundreds of my
relatives live there.
I am the duly elected President of Siocon Subano Association Inc. (SSAI)
in the
election of October 10, 2004, pursuant to the mandate of the
Association’s by-laws that
calls for an annual election. I got 500 more votes than my opponent
Barangay Captain
Bonifacio Patoh. This is my second term because I was also elected as
President in the
election held on November 25, 2001. SSAI has members at the moment more than
2000. SSAI at present is the Administrator of the Certificate of
Ancestral Domain Title
(CADT) issued to all the Subanons of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
I am also the Chairman of the 30 member Council of Elders of the Subanons of
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, our policy making body.
I write to you on behalf of my people, men, women and children of
Subanons of
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, approximately 6000 in number. The Subanons are
simple, peaceful and loving people whose dreams are for the development
of their
ancestral domain, employment and freedom from poverty, among others.
Specifically, we ask you the following:
• We ask you to stop telling lies to the world about us.
• We ask you to stop listening to those who say they represent us, but
do not.
• We ask you to stop sewing conflict and strife in our community.
• We ask you to stop using us for your personal gain.
• We ask you to leave us to decide what is best for us.
1. You spread lies to the world that we are blind supporters of TVI. We
are not.
Instead, we are partners of TVI in the development of our ancestral
domain. This
partnership was institutionalized by virtue of our Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) in
November 2003. We allow them to mine our natural resources on specific
conditions,
that it is in accordance with our mining laws and the Indigenous Peoples
Rights Act
(IPRA) RA 8371 in addition to priority of employment for our people,
payment of royalty
fee, livelihood projects, development our area, improvement of our
roads, among others.
Many of these have already been provided by TVI.
Also, you spread lies by quoting Mr. Anoy that TVI has desecrated our sacred
place. The MPSA area of TVI does not embrace any of the sacred places we
claim.
The nearest sacred place is located at Lumingin Area more than 5
kilometers away.
You should be informed that Boy Anoy and Onsino Mato while they were
President and
Secretary of SSAI, respectively, from 1993 to 2001 allowed 100 small
scale miners to
operate within the MPSA area of TVI. If indeed, they consider the MPSA
area as sacred.
then they should not have allowed these small scale miners to operate there.
I add that because of what they did the small scale miners used Subanon
children ages 7 to 14 and women to work in their cyanide mills and paid
them a pittance
such as 30, 40, or 50 pesos per sack, and worst, they were paid
depending on the grade
of the gold and not based on the weight of the sack or distance from
where they carried
the ore.
The two (2) did not mind that the small scale miners whose operations were
illegal dumped their toxic wastes at Canatuan Creek killing the fish and
snails that we
used to get for our daily food. Also they cut our trees to construct
their illegal plants and
houses.
Also, you spread lies by stating that TVI does not have the support of
the Subano
community. Had you asked the real Subanons residing at Canatuan and
neighboring
areas, you would have known the truth. For the record, SSAI with more
than 2000
members, all Subanons, had expressly supported TVI’s operation. I recall
that in
October, 2001, the Board of Trustees of SSAI signed a MOU with TVI. On
October 15,
2002, the Subanon Council of Elders passed and adopted a Resolution
allowing TVI to
mine “open pit” within their MPSA area. Boy Anoy and Onsino Mato in fact
attended and
participated in the deliberation of the said resolution. Finally, in
November 2003, SSAI
and the Council of Elders signed with TVI a MOA.
Finally, you spread lies that TVI is evicting 86 Subanon families. Not one
Subano is being evicted by TVI. I know for a fact that three (3)
separate letters of
demand for reasons of safety were sent to Spouses Emmanuel and Gaga Gonzaga,
Ireneo and Luciano Calibo and Josie Gonzaga. But above three (3)
families are not
Subanons. They are Bisayans from far away towns and part of those
remaining small
scale miners who squatted, ransacked and mined our ancestral domain
without our free
prior informed consent (FPIC).
To set the truth, on January 9, 2005, the non Subanons within the ancestral
domain were called to a meeting by the Council of Elders as regards the
status of their
stay within. Accordingly, their stay was without FPIC. Many of them
attended and they
asked clarificatory questions. They were told that SSAI, if they are
willing, will accept
them as privilege members thru the issuances of yellow IDs, and will
extend to them all
the rights enjoyed by the Subanons except the right to vote and be voted
as officers of
SSAI. Further, they will be relocated and allotted lots at Tanuman
Relocation site. The
Council of Elders after February 28, 2005, will convene should they fail
to submit their
intention to join, to act on their status. They were even told that even
if they will choose
to be members of SSAI, their individual claims with TVI still remain
until their resolutions.
The reason for said invitation is based on RA 8371, as the IP community
has the right to
regulate the entries and occupation of migrants and corporations. In
short, these non-
Subanons who were branded in foreign press as Subanons, were not
evicted. Instead,
they were invited to join SSAI to make their stay within the ancestral
domain as legal.
Except for Boy Anoy and Onsino Mato, those who are opposed to TVI operation
are remnants of small scale miners who are non Subanons. They are
opposed to TVI
because what they are trying to get into their pockets.
2. So that you will not spread lies, do not listen to the following:
1. Jose Boy Anoy, because:
1.1. He is no longer the President of SSAI effective November 26, 2001.
1.2. He is half Subano, the mother being an Ilocana
1.3. He is NOT a Timuay. His father, Lumuyod Anoy from whom he should
inherit the title, is not a Timuay.
1.4. The local NCIP representative, Ponciano Agbadan, who is a Subano and a
resident of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, had stated that Boy Anoy is
coming from the blood line of “Bulian” (Religious Leader).
1.5. He has lost his credibility among the Subanons for receiving monies
from
small miners. When Cayabyab, a small miner, gave him a house at
Canatuan, he moved in from Paduan in 2000. He acted as the small
miners liaison as he led the application with the MGB (Mines and
Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources DENR) to convert the area as peoples mining area for the
benefit of the illegal miners.
1.6. He does not stay at Canatuan, or Paduan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del
Norte, any more.
2. Onsino Mato because
1. He is not from Barangay Tabayo but from Candis, Siocon, Zamboanga del
Norte.
2. He has lost his credibility among the Subanons for receiving monies from
small miners, and he was suspected to be involved in the 2 ambushes in
2002 resulting to the death of 13 Subanons and injuries to many.
3. Timuay Noval Lambo, because:
1. He is not from Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, but from
Barangay Lintangan, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, two (2) municipalities
away.
2. He has lost credibility as he allowed himself to be used by DCMI, an
antimining
NGO, and Philippine IP Links.
3. He has never consulted the Subano community of Siocon, particularly the
Council of Elders, of his plans and/or activities and SSAI.
4. He was never designated by the Subano community of Siocon to be a
spokesman on anything.
5. He has claimed falsely to be an expert on our people and our
traditions but
he is not from our area so how can he be?
4. Ofelia Davi, because she is not a Subanon; and therefore ignorant of
the ways,
culture and traditions of the Subanons.
5. Luni Lucas of Siocon because he allowed the small mining and is still
acting for
them and Anoy and Mato. As we gathered, per his representation, Mayor Cesar
Soriano at one time issued a mayor’s permits to some of the small miners.
6. Different NGO’s, particularly DCMI, Philippine IP Links, Christian
Aid, etc. as these
are not IP Subanon organizations and therefore do not know the true
sentiments,
aspirations and desires of the Subano community of Siocon. We have also not
authorized them.
3. We had already reached a major decision and that is to allow TVI to
operate
within our ancestral domain, as evidenced by the MOA we signed and the
Resolution of
October 15, 2002. We asked therefore that this decision of ours should
be respected by
you. We are big enough with sane minds to know what is best for the
Subanons of
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. Now that we are enjoying to reap the
dividends of the
MOA, such as royalty, good roads, electricity, employment, health,
school, livelihood
projects, do not inject anything in that relationship that will sow
conflict among us
Subanons and other tribes. TVI despite the distance and risk has shown
that it cares for
the welfare of the Subanons, and as we stay here in Canatuan we feel it,
we see it and
we enjoy it. Our people have been working in jobs, our babies have been
saved in
childbirth, our women have been learning to grow rice and vegetables. If
there is one
who could attest to it better, it is we, not anyone else. We do not want
to go back to the
days of small miners (1993 – 2001) where we, men, women and children, worked
virtually as their slaves. You should be proud and thankful of TVI for
helping the causes
and interests of the Subanons.
Our National Government knows better what is good for the IPs like us,
and we
are all supportive of its program for responsible mining and sustainable
development.
We are all for the development of our ancestral domain which to us is
the only visible
and viable solution to free us from ignorance and poverty.
4. Some NGO’s are using the Subanons of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, to get
donations from abroad. In their solicitation for donations, they depict
us as being
oppressed. Grants and/or donations are given for our cause but far from
reaching us,
these monies just stay at the hands of the NGO’s who solicit them.
What have the Churches and the NGOs done for us? They have not put one
peso into our community. For instance DCMI, leading the picket in March
2004 at
Pisawak to stop TVI bringing benefits to the Subano community, blocked
100 Subano
mourners who passed by after burying their dead relative. It has not
provided any
livelihood projects for us. It has not visited our ancestral domain to
teach us how to
plant, to read, to write or to take care our ancestral domain. It does
not help deliver our
babies safely or fight diseases in our homes. It does not even talk to
us who are the real
traditional leaders of our place. It brings NGOs here to only talk to
small miners and
Anoy and Mato and then tells lies to the world about us.
We are human beings, and we ought not to be depicted as ignorant and
poor for
the personal gains of these NGOs.
Finally, unless you are prepared to really help us, I ask you to leave
us alone,
because such right is enshrined in RA 8371, right to govern ourselves.
This unique right
of empowerment is given to us because as IPs, we use our customs,
traditions, culture
and usages in dealing with Mother Nature and our fellow men. Thus we
know better
than you do on how we could improve and protect ourselves within our
ancestral
domain.
Should you need further clarification as to any matter I state above,
please write
to me.
Very truly yours,
TIMUAY JUANITO TUMANGKIS
President
(The Siocon Subano Association Inc. (SSAI) was registered with the
Securities and
Exchange Commission in 1991 to represent the Subanon Indigenous People of
Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. At present, it has
around 2,000
Subano members. Timuay Juanito Tumangkis is also the Chairman of the Subanon
Council of Elders of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, whose legitimacy was
upheld by the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) per its decision on
June 1, 2004.
Said Council with a composition of 30 traditional tribal leaders is the
policy making body
of the Subano of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.)
Attorney Pablo Bernardo has assisted writing this letter and he is the
Chairman of the
Provincial Consultative Body of the Subanons of the entire Province of
Zamboanga del
Norte per the consensus of 175 delegates in the forum from January 28 –
30, 2005, held
in Dipolog City.
Copies furnished:
Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines
Philippines Media
Canadian Media
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