Mindanao

“Killings and human rights violations in Mindanao are inextricably linked to environmental plunder and destruction. Many of those who have been killed are indigenous leaders or anti-mining or anti-logging activists. The tens of thousands that have been forcibly evacuated came from highly militarized areas threatened by large scale mining and logging operations.”  read more »

The Gabriela solon called on concerted efforts toward ecological restoration and disaster preparedness and urged President Aquino to order the immediate cancellation of all mining and logging operation permits in Mindanao and certify as urgent, HB5276 Mindanao River Systems Rehabilitation and Conservation Authority and HB4315 People’s Mining Bill.  read more »

“Amid such grief and devastation we must now take immediate action towards pooling much needed assistance and resources to the tens of thousands who lost their homes and loved ones in flash floods in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and Dumaguete.”

Thus said Mindanaoan solon and Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan today, explaining that the women’s partylist group is coordinating relief efforts with its chapters in Mindanao as well as with other socio-civic and religious organizations to make the distribution of relief goods more efficient.  read more »

"While the President claims interest in continuing peace negotiations, his moves show otherwise when he declared ‘all-out-justice’ and allowed the military air-strike in Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan. He cannot simply brush aside the impact of this air strike as it resulted to the evacuation of some 20,000 residents in Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan provinces. This move clearly reveals the President’s mangled concept of justice. His pronouncements attempt to camouflage but his actions clearly exposes the brutality of the government’s Oplan Bayanihan,” said GWP Rep.  read more »