1 week ago
8
THE Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), the country's largest association of Catholic schools, called on government authorities to uphold due process and protect indigenous rights following the arrest of several residents in Palawan who resisted eviction.
In a statement, the group denounced the May 15 arrest of 10 residents from Sitio Marihangin on Bugsuk Island, who claim ancestral ownership of the land. The residents were charged with grave coercion despite accounts that they had been peacefully defending their ancestral domain. They were released on bail on May 17.
CEAP expressed alarm over what it described as "the nature of the charges filed against them and the continued threats to their safety and dignity," calling for a "just and compassionate" resolution.
"We appeal to concerned authorities to uphold due process, respect indigenous rights, and ensure the safety and dignity of the Molbog people," the group said.
According to CEAP, the Marihangin residents are primarily fisherfolk who have long lived in the area and are now resisting eviction due to an ecotourism project reportedly backed by San Miguel Corp. and Bricktree Properties.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The association urged local officials and government agencies to recognize indigenous land claims and protect the Molbog community, warning of the broader implications for Indigenous peoples' rights across the country.
Bishop Socrates Mesiona of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa (AVPP) called the arrests unjust and emphasized the importance of protecting Indigenous peoples' rights.
"These are ordinary people who simply seek to protect their right to live and remain on their land. We stand in solidarity with the Indigenous people... in the defense of their right to live peacefully on the lands inherited from their ancestors," Bishop Mesiona said.
Tensions in the area reportedly escalated on May 18 when 41 armed guards entered the disputed territory, according to the AVPP. The following day, Oscar Pelayo, a community leader in Marihangin, was sentenced to prison in connection with an "illegal fishing" case dating back to 2006. Church leaders noted that Pelayo has long led community efforts to assert ancestral rights over the land and surrounding waters.
