LUMAD MINDANAW PEOPLES FEDERATION (LMPF) POSITION PAPER ON THE NATIONAL
COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (NCIP) EN BANC RESOLUTION No.08-009-2021 s.
2021, A RESOLUTION DENOUNCING THE USE OF THE TERM "LUMAD" TO REFER
TO INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (ICCs/IPs} PARTICULARLY
OF MINDANAO, AND ENJOINING THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS ICCs/IPs BY THEIR AFFILIATION
OR ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUP.
We,
at LMPF fully agree and express our deep appreciation for the enumeration and
emphasis of the pertinent provisions enshrined in the 1987 Constitution of the
Philippines that committed and obligated the State to the recognition, respect
and protection of our rights as Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous
Peoples (ICCs/IPs). Republic Act 8371 better known as the Indigenous Peoples
Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) was enacted by the Congress of the Philippines as an
enabling law to this commitment and obligation.
Republic
Act 8371 is a world class domestic legislation crafted as a remedy to the
centuries of injustice, neglect, discrimination, exploitation, oppression,
manipulation and the like suffered by ICCs/IPs. Our collective suffering is a
result of colonization particularly the imposition of discriminatory policies
of assimilation and integration. Indigenous peoples are among the poorest and
most relegated sectors of Philippine society. Thus, we experience neglect and
discrimination in the provision of basic social services of the government.
The
NCIP is mandated by law to be respectful and sensitive in its engagement with
the ICCs/IPs, as the latter tries to regain, restore and strengthen its
traditional self-governance structure.
In
our view, the issuance by the NCIP of the cited resolution showed lack of
sincerity and failed to conduct its affairs in accordance with the basic
principle of due process and the rule of law. NCIP failed to consult the LMPF.
This conduct is unbecoming of the primary state agency mandated to implement
the applicable law, and to be respectful and sensitive in its engagement with
ICCs/IPs.
LMPF
is an institution of constructive partnership between and among diverse
ICCs/IPs to assert their respective inherent, inalienable, collective and
individual rights to identity, land and territory, self-determination and
self-governance. LMPF is an independent indigenous peoples’ network that
pursues and protects the legitimate and collective interest and aspirations of
the ICCs/IPs through peaceful and lawful means [RA 8371, Chapter IV, Section
19]. LMPF has in fact contributed to the passage of the Indigenous Peoples
Rights Act. It is also accredited by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
of the United Nations as an indigenous nongovernmental organization representing
the Lumad Peoples (Indigenous Peoples) of Mindanao, Philippines.
The
implied portrayal of the LMPF in the negative light under the aforementioned
NCIP en banc resolution is unexpected and extremely alarming amidst the crises
people are now suffering.
The
LMPF Governing Council has a high regard for Datu Lito Omos being the first
Lumad Mindanao General Secretary. We expect him to speak with integrity, and be
mindful of the collective honor and dignity of his people, the Mangguwangan
People. Nonetheless, Datu Omos and the Mangguwangan People cannot impose their
will, judgement and worldviews on the other equally independent-cum-autonomous
diverse indigenous peoples of Mindanao.
Accordingly,
as we move forward, seek more realistic opportunities for constructive
dialogue, to strengthen unity for our common aspiration to survive as peoples.
Learning from the past, LMPF Governing Council has come to know that those
against the collective interest and unity of the Indigenous Peoples, never fail
to use and mislead fellow ICCs/IPs in their divide and rule schemes.
The
term ‘lumad’ has been used prior to the Lumad Mindanao founding assembly in
1986. The NCIP allegation that the term is chosen by CPP/NPA/NDF to control the
identification of ICCs/IPs is ridiculous, unreasonable and absurd.
While
we seek to align our interests with the state addressing issues involving the
CPP/NPA/NDF, any collaboration or cooperation should be respectful and mindful
of the true history of the ICCs/IPs, and should not involve any twisting of
history. The use of term ‘lumad’ should not be understood as monopoly of the
leftist group. This gives much undeserved credit to the CPP/NPA/NDF.
Looking
at global realities, even those nations/states that adhere to the so-called
socialist ideology, have all failed to address the legitimate aspirations of
the indigenous peoples. Self-determination and self-governance can only be
possible if indigenous peoples implement it themselves. The primary solution to
the problem of powerless of the indigenous peoples is to restore their power of
self-governance, so that they may live peacefully and sustainably as they
practice self-determination.
Finally,
LMPF Governing Council calls on the NCIP to be fair, inclusive and
non-partisan. It must be faithful to its mandate to protect ALL the ICCs/IPs,
adhere to the principle of due process, abide by the rule of law, and most
importantly, to be respectful and sensitive to the legitimate interests of all parties
concerned.
15 Mayo 2021. Mindanaw,Pilipinas.
