Drop all charges against the Mangyan-Iraya of Sitio Malatabako!

KATRIBU condemns the decision of the Abra de Ilog Municipal Trial Court (MTC) which, on April 8, convicted nine Mangyan-Iraya residents of Sitio Malatabako on charges of “Other Forms of Trespass” filed by Pieceland Corporation. While they were acquitted of the charges of “occupation of real property” and “malicious mischief,” these cases should never have been filed in the first place against Indigenous Peoples defending their ancestral land against encroachment.

The court ruling against the Mangyan-Iraya exposes the continuing criminalization of Indigenous Peoples who assert and defend their ancestral lands against land-grabbers and corporate encroachment. Because of the conviction, some community members were forced to post bail despite severe economic hardship, with families reportedly selling livestock and other sources of livelihood just to comply with court requirements.

“The Mangyan-Iraya are being called trespassers on their own ancestral land simply because they refuse to surrender it to big business interests,” said Funa-ay Claver, secretary-general of KATRIBU. “Pieceland Corporation has played a direct role in the harassment and displacement of the community by pursuing baseless charges and restricting the Mangyan-Iraya’s access to their own land. These cases reflect the state’s intensifying campaign in driving Indigenous Peoples away from their ancestral domain in favor of corporate interests, such as we see now during Marcos Jr.’s aggressive push for renewable energy and mining projects.”

For years, the Mangyan-Iraya of Sitio Malatabako have endured relentless attacks from Pieceland Corporation and the state, including being barred from portions of their ancestral land, restrictions on movement, harassment by armed guards, destruction of livelihoods, illegal arrests, and repeated acts of intimidation aimed at forcing them out of their community. Most recently on January 1, the communities experienced aerial bombing and strafing operations conducted by the 203rd Infantry Brigade in Brgy. Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, which killed three Mangyan-Iraya children and a student researcher. These attacks intensified under the administration of Marcos Jr., whose counterinsurgency policies and development agenda continue to pave the way for corporate encroachment, militarization, and attacks on Indigenous communities resisting land conversion, extractive projects, and large-scale plantations.

KATRIBU calls for the immediate junking of all trumped-up charges against the Mangyan-Iraya of Sitio Malatabako, an end to militarization and harassment in Mangyan communities, and accountability for Pieceland Corporation and state forces involved in violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and ancestral land rights.

While Indigenous communities like the Mangyan-Iraya suffer from displacement, militarization, and fabricated criminal charges, powerful officials implicated in corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations continue to evade accountability and enjoy state protection. KATRIBU stresses the urgent need as well to hold accountable officials such as Ronald dela Rosa, Sara Duterte, and Bongbong Marcos for policies and actions that have intensified state violence and attacks against Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized sectors.

The Mangyan-Iraya are not criminals for defending their ancestral land and collective rights. The real trespassers are the corporations, landlords, and state forces that continue to intrude into Indigenous territories in the name of profit. The people must continue to demand the junking of all fabricated charges against the Mangyan-Iraya and hold the Marcos administration accountable for the worsening militarization, land-grabbing, and human rights violations in Mindoro and across the country.

Reference: Funa-ay Claver, Secretary General