Indigenous peoples in Agusan del Sur face harassment

Summary

Philippine President Duterte recently granted over 38,000 hectares of ancestral domain land to the Benoitans of San Luisa, Busan Del Sur, affirming their right to own and cultivate it. However, a tribal leader reports ongoing harassment and intimidation by armed men, with locals fearing for their safety. Despite laws to protect indigenous people, the Commission on Human Rights acknowledges their vulnerability to aggression, including land grabbing. The local government has yet to respond to these allegations, highlighting the need for government intervention to ensure the tribe's safe return to their ancestral land.

Takeaways

• 🏆 President Duterte awarded over 38,000 hectares of ancestral domain land to the Benoitans of San Luisa, Busan Del Sur.
• 🌾 This land grant gives indigenous people the right to own and cultivate the land, recognizing their ancestral claims.
• 🚫 Despite the land rights, a traditional leader reports that the tribe faces restrictions on their freedom of movement.
• 🔍 Locals claim harassment and intimidation by armed groups, with one foreign farmer killed and others under threat.
• 🚔 There has been no report of these incidents to the local police, suggesting a lack of action or awareness.
• 😔 The Commission on Human Rights acknowledges that indigenous people are highly vulnerable to aggressions, even with protective laws in place.
• 📜 The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples admits there are undocumented cases of harassment and intimidation against indigenous communities.
• 📡 Attempts to reach the local government of San Luisa, Busan Del Sur for comment have been unsuccessful, indicating a potential lack of response or support.
• 🏞️ Land grabbing is highlighted as a significant issue, with development aggression exacerbating the vulnerability of indigenous communities.
• 🙏 The tribe is seeking government assistance to safely return to their ancestral lands without fear or restraint.

Q & A

Who has recently been awarded land by President Duterte?

Over 38,000 actors of land have been awarded as ancestral domain to the Benoitans of San Luisa, Busan Del Sur.

What rights do the indigenous people have over the awarded land?

The indigenous people have the right to own and cultivate the land.

What is the issue faced by the tribe despite having a rightful claim over the land?

The tribe cannot move around freely, and locals are being harassed and intimidated by a group of armed men.

What incident involving a foreign farmer was mentioned in the script?

A foreign farmer was killed last February, and more are threatened to be killed.

Why is there no report of the incident to the local police?

The script does not provide a specific reason, but it implies that the situation is complex and possibly involves fear or intimidation.

What percentage of indigenous people are considered vulnerable to aggressions according to the Commission on Human Rights?

80 to 90 percent of indigenous people are considered vulnerable to aggressions.

What does the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples admit regarding indigenous communities?

There are cases of undocumented harassments and intimidation towards indigenous communities.

What has the local government of San Luisagusan Del Sur been asked to respond to?

The local government has been asked to respond to the issue of harassment and intimidation of indigenous people.

What is one of the main issues confronting the indigenous people according to the script?

One of the main issues confronting the indigenous people is land grabbing due to developmental aggression.

What is the government being asked to help with regarding the problem in San Luisagusan Del Sur?

The government is being asked to help ensure that tribe members can return to their ancestral land without fear and intimidation.