Luwaran reported on February 23, that a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Central Mindanao has warned Canada about pursuing a gold mining operation in South Upi, Maguindanao. Inhabited by Tirurays, Maguindanaos, and settlers, the situation was described “as a ‘tinderbox’ that could bring about both bloodshed and sufferings to the people.”

The article continues,

The NGO’s spokesman, who requested anonymity, told Luwaran that the Canadian firm, which is still unnamed as of press time, has a tie-up with a powerful politician in Maguindanao, who claimed the town as part …

Last week, Environmental groups from the Philippines cautioned against the government sending in larger deployments of police and military to protect mining operations such as the one headed by the Australian mining giant Xstrata in Tampakan, Mindanao. The groups warn that doing so “would give rise to even more conflict and human rights violations against mining-affected communities.”

In a statement, Clemente Bautista Jr., National Coordinator of Kalikasan Peoples’ Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), said “We’re disappointed that the Environment Secretary favors militarization over peace talks and community consent …

Several Indigenous Leaders recently gathered in Mindanao to call for the abolishment of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as well as the 10-year-old Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA).

Organized in connection to the Confederation of Lumad Organizations’ General Assembly on October 6-10, the protest was part of a now-ongoing campaign for the Lumad to protect their lands and restore peace in the communities.

During the protest, a statement was read by Lumad explaining that both the NCIP and IPRA are being used to facilitate the destruction and exploitation …