Subanen Chieftain ambushed, son killed

Groups cry for justice and demand stoppage of all mining activities in Zamboanga

Manila—Groups cried for justice for the killing of 11-year old Jordan Manda, son of Subanen chieftain Timuay Locencio Manda, who was ambushed at 7:20 this morning by unidentified men, in Barangay Conacon, Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur.

“Jordan suffered a fatal wound on the back instantly killing him. Timuay Manda suffered minor wounds and is now safe,” reported Romel de Vera of Amnesty International.

Timuay Manda has been leading the Subanen’s claim for and protection of their ancestral domain, since his cousin Timuay Giovanni Umbang was assassinated in 2002. They have opposed mining and logging in their area and refused to issue their free prior and informed consent (FPIC) to various mining and logging companies.

Dr. Nymia Simbulan, executive director of Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights) said, “We condemn this ambush against Timuay Manda. The ambush against Timuay Manda resulting to the untimely death of his eldest son is a vicious attack against the Subanen people’s assertion of their collective rights and proof of the escalating violations of economic, social and cultural rights particularly in communities affected by mining operations.”

Ifugao Congressman Teddy Brawner-Baguilat added, “This ambush against Timuay Manda is a direct assault against all Subanen’s and all indigenous peoples. I condemn this violent act. The strong leadership of Timuay Manda must be supported and nurtured.”

Demand for Justice

“We will investigate this at the House Committee of National Cultural Communities, and I call on national government agencies such as National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Commission on Human Rights, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to immediately find the truth. I also call on President Aquino to immediately order a moratorium on all mining activities in the whole Zamboange Peninsula to prevent further escalation of violence in the area,” Baguilat added. Rep. Baguilat is the Chairperson of the House Committee on National Cultural Communities or IPs.

Timuay Manda shared with his support groups that he has been receiving death threats for the past three years because of this position.

“In my effort to assert our rights and to protect our people and ancestral domain, my beloved son was sacrificed. It is very painful and I thirst for justice. I vow to continue my struggle in order not to make my son’s death in vain. I need your support in this most trying time of my life as a father and a leader,” said Timuay Manda in a text message.

There are three approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreements in their ancestral domains.

“Pending the results of the initial investigation, we strongly believe that this is connected to the opposition of IPs to destructive mining their ancestral lands,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina.

We demand that immediate investigation be done by concerned government agencies on the incident so that justice can be served to the families of Timuay Manda and the Subanen people in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. We will not rest until the truth is exposed, and that justice is brought to Timuay Manda, his family and the Subanen tribe in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur,” Simbulan concluded.

“This latest incident underscore the strong links between human rights violations and the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the country,” Garganera added. He reminded the Aquino administration that it must seriously look into this tragedy, and other similar killings, as the Philippines is up for a review of this human rights record at the UN this year.

Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who are opposing the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of Executive Order 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and passage of the AMMB.

For more information:
Dr. Nymia Simbulan, PhilRIghts Executive Director, nymia.pimentel@gmail.com
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator – 09277617602
Farah Sevilla – policy@alyansatigilmina.net; 0915-3313361
Edel S. Garingan – communications@alyansatigilmina.net; 0922-8918972

Press Release
September 4, 2012

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