The Indigenous Peoples and the Lumad of Mindanao The IPRA The IPRA describes IPs as “a group of people or homogenous societies, identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community on communally-bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed customs, tradition and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and culture, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos.”4 The term “Lumad,” a Visayan word for “native” or “indigenous,” was adopted by the delegates of the Lumad Mindanao Peoples Federation founding assembly in 1986 to distinguish themselves from the Christians and Muslims in Mindanao.5 The Lumad have their own ancestral domains and distinct customs, traditions, and beliefs, which to this day, continue to be practiced. Increasing HR Violations In 2015, the CHR investigated eight cases of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in Regions X, XI, and XIII (CARAGA), involving the killing of 21 Lumad. This is a marked increase from 2014, with three Manobo, Martino Sugian Dagodoy and Henry Arreza from Surigao del Norte, and Henry Alameda from Lianga, Surigao Del Sur killed. The killing of Alameda allegedly by a paramilitary group also displaced some 240 families from Lianga. The figures for 2014 and 2015 are certainly not exhaustive, as they are gathered only from cases actually filed and investigated by the Commission’s Regional Offices. KARAPATAN-Southern Mindanao, a human rights organization, reported growing and widespread militarization in Mindanao. According to KARAPATAN, since July 2010 up to September 2015, of the 48 HR defenders killed, 18 belonged to the Manobo, Bagobo, B’laan, Makigsalop, Mansaka, and Mandaya tribes.6 How the Inquiry Came About The Commission initiated an Inquiry into the situation of the Lumad in response to the humanitarian crisis experienced by those who sought shelter in the UCCP Haran Compound. The CHR conducts its public hearings in accordance with Rule 7 of the Commission’s Omnibus Guidelines and Procedures in the Investigation and Monitoring of HR Violations and Abuses. The inquiry proceedings are factfinding and non-adversarial in nature, hearings are open to the public, and the participation of affected parties and sectors is encouraged. 4 Section 3(h), RA No. 8371 or the “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.” 5 Filpinas Heritage Library, The Lumad of Mindanao, accessed from http://www.filipinas library.org.ph/features/293-the-Lumadof-mindanao. 6 TSN dated 24 September 2015 – P.M. Session, pp. 41-42. 2