Mindanao: A Militarized and Plundered Land

Mindanao s ancestral domains are the Philippines last frontiers. But these lands are now being plundered and our communities militarized. In pursuit of this imperialist plunder, the Aquino government is attacking our schools, communities, and people through the State s internal security doctrine Oplan Bayanihan. In truth, Oplan Bayanihan is the government s war for plunder and war against the people.

Attacks on Schools Indigenous community schools in Mindanao have been targeted for closure, encampment, vilification, and harassments. These schools have been initiated by Lumad community organizations, with assistance from non-government organizations and support groups, in response to the need to address high illiteracy rates in rural areas. Since April 2015, Lumad children of Talaingod in Southern Mindanao have been holding classes in an evacuation center after their schools were ordered closed and after soldiers have encamped in their communities. The same experience of attacks prevails among Manobo, Banwaon, and Mamanwa children in Caraga; Blaan and Tboli children in Socsksargen region; and Higaonon and Manobo children in Northern Mindanao

Attacks on our Communities Militarization of communities has led to forcible evacuations of Lumads. Their livelihood has been disrupted. Community infrastructure like schools, clinics, collective farms have been destroyed. Using the classic divide-and-rule approach, the AFP has organized, armed, and trained indigenous paramilitaries to fight against their kin.

Attacks on our People Advocates against big mining, plantations, and other extractive projects, as well as teachers and students, have been lodged with fabricated criminal suits. They are facing threats to their lives. Several of those who find their names in the AFP s order of battle hit list have become victims of summary executions.

Support our Calls DEFEND MINDANAO FROM MILITARIZATION AND PLUNDER! Stop Oplan Bayanihan, the Aquino government s war against the people No to Big Mining and Plantations! Cancel all mining permits! Stop plantation expansion! Stop the Attacks on our Schools! Pull out military troops from our schools and communities! Rescind Department of Education Memorandum 221 or the militarization of schools! Stop the Attacks on our Communities! Disband all indigenous paramilitaries! Indemnify rural communities displaced by militarization! Stop militarization in rural and urban communities! Stop the Attacks on our People! Justice for all victims of extrajudicial killings by the Aquino government! Drop false criminal charges against our community and sectoral leaders!

Support Manilakbayan 2015 We in Mindanao are fighting to defend our schools, communities, and people from militarization and plunder. Manilakbayan 2015 is a people s caravan from Mindanao to Manila, to bring the voices of indigenous peoples and peasant communities to the national capital. At the doorstep of the Presidential Palace and before the national platform, we vow to demand justice for victims of extrajudicial killings, to demand the dropping of false charges against our leaders and people, to press for the pull out of military troops from our schools and communities, and to clamor for the disbandment and disarming of paramilitaries. Manilakbayan 2015 needs the participation of the people in Manila and the solidarity of peoples all over the world. Mindanao needs your active support!

How you can help JOIN the Manilakbayan from Mindanao to Manila WRITE letters to government agencies and international bodies to call attention to our plight EDUCATE your community/group about the situation in Mindanao and our calls for justice MOBILIZE a demonstration, media event or any gathering on the Global Week of Action for Mindanao on December 3-9, 2015 DONATE and support the cause for human rights and ecological justice Contact Us T: +63 82 327 2719 E: support.manilakbayan@gmail.com W: www.manilakbayan.org FB: manilakbayan ng Mindanao