While the whole world commemorates today, December 10, 2007 the 59^th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) ---many of our countrymen, particularly the indigenous peoples and those   directly victimized by the harmful policies and actions of the Arroyo government, continue to fight for their human rights, dignity and sheer survival

The Lumads of Surigao del Sur have been forcibly dispersed from their villages and are scampering for their lives and safety either in hiding or in evacuation camps as their communities comprising the province's six towns are being targeted for large-scale mining operations.

The Higaonon farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon marched 1,700 kilometers for two months from their ancestral lands all the way to Manila to dramatize their claim to a 144-hectare ancestral lands that successive callous administrations have denied them. Now, their claims are being threatened by the San Miguel Corporation's commercial piggery farm. Their hardships also rendered the government's Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), mandated to protect the farmers' rights and interests—unmoved and inutile in deciding in favor of the Sumilao peasants' interests over those of 4,999 pigs and their powerful corporate and government backers.

Last December 2, 2007 Deodato "Dodong" Pame, a staunch anti-mining activist of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur was shot dead by still unidentified assailants. A committed activist for the last 30 years, "Dodong" Pame had fought against illegal logging,large- scale mining and corruption in Surigao del Sur. He asserted the indigenous peoples' rights and daringly placed a streamer in front of his house "Ang nagpuyo dinhi sa Balay, Supak sa Mina" ( Residing in this house is opposed to mining ). Pame's killing, is not only a big loss to the people's movement and to Surigao del Sur; it also highlighted the insecurity of anti-mining critics and resisting communities and the continuing failure of government to protect people's lives and uphold basic rights and freedoms.

Ongoing human rights tragedy in the hinterlands and rural communities

The unfolding human rights tragedy that is taking place in Surigao del Sur and the callousness of government to the plight of indigenous peoples and rural communities—are similarly occurring, if not being replicated in other parts of the country where resistance communities are staunchly warding off mining, plantation and big business incursions into their lands.

The indigenous peoples in their resource-rich areas particularly bear the brunt of combined measures to dispossess and drive them away—from manipulating and manufacturing their consent and buying their silence, cowing them into intimidation and fear—and if all else fail, as in the case of Lumads in Surigao del Sur—forcibly uprooting them and driving them away by militarizing indigenous lands.

Local human rights and Church groups reported that as of November 1, military operations led by the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army have driven away at least 12 Lumad communities in the six municipalities of Tago, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga and San Miguel—all in Surigao del Sur. These communities are known to have actively resisted mining incursions into their ancestral lands and territories.

Waging a ruthless war against the resource-rich Lumad communities

The six towns comprise what is known as the Andap Valley where the second largest coal deposit in the country is said to be found , along with gold and chromite--and where Chinese mining corporations reportedly have major investments.

As usual, resisting communities have been tagged as lairs of the New People's Army (NPAs) and the Lumad residents, either the rebel supporters or rebels themselves—and thus, fair game for military reprisals. Hundreds of Lumad residents were driven away from their homes, in an obvious military clear and hold operations in these target communities. Lumad houses and community schools were reportedly seized and occupied by the soldiers, disrupting classes and terrorizing residents, particularly children. Classes in at least six (6) lumad community schools were reportedly cancelled, affecting 600 school children. Residents , including children were also said to be harassed and intimidated by the military who subjected them to questioning and interrogation.

Sr. Lydia Lazcano. Social Action Director of the Diocese of Tandag, sharply pointed out the motives behind the recent upsurge of military operations in Surigao del Sur: to pave the way for the full-scale operations of mining companies seeking to operate in the militarized areas. Sr. Lydia further said that to date, mining permits have been sought for some 191, 482 hectares covered by the province, which has a total of 455,567 hectares. Commercial logging concessions also operate in 191, 482.07 hectares that compounds the displacement of farmers, fishers and indigenous communities.

Stop the war and atrocities against the Indigenous Peoples and the Rural Communities!

Today, December 10, 2007—the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/ Friends of the Earth-Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE- Phils.) declare our continuing commitment and solidarity to the struggle of the indigenous peoples and the rural communities for their land and life—for their human rights and self-determination.

We call on the Arroyo government to stop its war and polices of death and destruction against the Lumads and the rural communities. It must immediately stop military operations in Surigao del Sur and other indigenous lands. It must stop large-scale and destructive mining projects, particularly those opposed by the affected communities. It must stop forcible displacement of indigenous peoples and their communities, protect the safety of the civilians and guarantee their safe return to their communities.

The Arroyo government must respect the indigenous peoples' right to self-determination, particularly their right to say no and oppose mining and other extractive investments' incursion into their indigenous lands. A divided and resisting community means no free, prior and informed consent of the affected area.

The Arroyo government must recognize the Higaonon farmers' rightful claim to their lands and must bring the 144 hectares of Sumilao farmlands back to them Immediately and unconditionally.

It should investigate the assassination of Deodato "Dodong" Pame and bring the perpetrators to justice.

We call on the human rights movement and the Filipino people to sustain the vigilance for human rights and ensure that human rights violators, including those in this government are held accountable and punished.

Today, we commemorate December 10, 2007 in solidarity with and by keeping faith in the struggles and determination of our people until human rights truly matter to them and our nation.

From the women and men of :
LEGAL RIGHTS and NATURAL RESOURCES CENTER - KASAMA SA KALIKASAN (LRC-KsK/Friends of the Earth-Philippines)