Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The government is now investigating the killing and displacement of lumads in Mindanao allegedly due to mining interests, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Leo Jasareno assured on Monday (September 28).
This comes after several groups, such as the Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, said that indigenous people who opposed mining in the area were killed by suspected members of the military. This has triggered the evacuation of over a hundred lumads.
Ronald Recidoro of the Chamber of Mines belied such claims. He said that large scale metallic mining firms are not operating in the area.
IBON Foundation Executive Director Rosario Guzman said that the issue is not limited to physical displacement. He pointed out that lumads can no longer go to their farms, for fear of suspected military harassment, subsequently affecting their very livelihood.
Guzman said that there are 23 indigenous groups in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III of the Senate Subcommittee on Justice has scheduled a hearing in Surigao del Sur on Thursday (October 1) to look into the killings.
CNN Philippines’ Ivy Saunar contributed to this report.
