CSOs increase participation in government’s decision making

BONTOC- Mountain Province civil society organizations (CSO) ad hoc council talk about all CSOs- peoples organizations (POs), non -government organizations (NGOs), professional groups, business, cooperatives, accredited or not and operating in Mountain Province (barangay, municipal and province) - help each other bring their concerns to government during the CSO accreditation conference conducted by the department of interior and local government  (DILG) and provincial planning and development office (PPDO) last August 7. In photo are Donald Mapangdol (MPACG), Lynn Madalang ( Ebgan) Pachie Marcial Marcs Castaneda (CROMV) Valentin Marcelo (LHMRH), Ben Pladio (MOPRECO), Leonardo Manangdang (PICE) Alma Toyoken (Tanggew), Jacinto Yassan (MPPSTEA) Roseann Wangdali ( MWA), Mary Tudlong (ECW) and Gina Dizon (MPCI). One major concern is their participation in special bodies -local school board, local health board, development council and peace and order council- in government.

By Gina Dizon

Civil society organizations definitely have a tremendous significance in making better communities precisely because they are personally and organizationally moved with their noble purposes and mission for the common good,  and much more as they are not being paid by government.

With their separate sectoral aims and objectives, CSOs contributed and still contributing  in shaping government as to how it is. It is significant to note how the chamber of commerce influences business and how it is run in the country.  And so with the many cooperatives spread out in the country.  

And so with social activist people’s organizations and non-government organizations as the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) and  Kilusang Magbubukid somehow influenced the creation of   government agencies including the national commission on indigenous peoples (NCIP) on the struggle for indigenous people’s rights and the department of agrarian reform (DAR) due to farmers’ struggle for agrarian reform on land distribution.

And too, with strong organized people’s movements for increase of salaries for government workers including the Association of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and  the confederation for unity recognition and advancement of government employees (COURAGE); and private workers through their respective unions.  Though they suffer from labelling and vilification, their efforts were not and are not in vain.

Unsung heroes as we still note, most CSOs remained to be behind the scenes, unrecognized by government and award giving institutions but helped anyway through significant ways  the people know. It cannot be denied that with strong organized people’s movements, their noble aspirations were and are translated into strong democratic institutions people now enjoy.

For one, former CPA chairman and former Mountain Province board member  Fr Eduardo Solang along with other social activists then rallied and lobbied for a Cordillera regional autonomous government for the Cordillera to freely enjoy  its political, economic, and social self-determination as a people and as a region in the 1980s. That, somehow led to the inclusion of the provision on the creation of an autonomous region for the Cordillera in the 1987 Philippine Constitution which is now being pursued by government since 1989 when it was first presented for a plebiscite.   

People with their banded collectivities and noble aspirations have throughout Philippine history, moved significantly with or without the help of government though some laws as the local government code of 1991 provided for their participation in decision making in government.

Now, the government is seriously considering CSO participation in governance with the passing of Memorandum Circular 2019-72 by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Much as CSO participation was already there in the 1991 local government code and CSO participation not that impressive in the previous 20 years in government’s special bodies,  DILGs MC 2019-72 comes raring with a better perspective of how CSOs shall participate in government.  

This from the local government code of 1991 providing for the establishment of people’s organizations, non-government organizations, and the private sector to make them active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy, and to directly involve them in the plans, programs, projects, or activities of the local government.

Said MC 2019-72, states, ”good governance is vital in the pursuit of excellence in public administration and development. This Department  (DILG)  recognizes that in forming a sustainable foundation of  good governance , it is not enough to concentrate on developing the internal capacity of local governments  It is equally important to develop  and strengthen partnership  with COS in order to empower citizens  to articulate their  needs as they participate in the decision making process, program planning, implementation and monitoring  at the local label which can increase the responsiveness and  efficiency of local governments in delivering  services.”

CSOs include the NGOs, POs, cooperatives, business and professional groups.

Expanded provisions are found in MC2019-72 favorable to CSOs increasing their membership in the special bodies based on existing laws. Said circular provides for representatives of non-governmental organization shall constitute not less than one fourth (1/4)  and  increased to one half (1/2) of the membership of the organized local development council.

Membership in the local development council must represent the women sector at least 40% of the fully organized council shall be composed of women as prescribed by RA 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women. 

Membership of indigenous peoples as per the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act  (IPRA) and farmers as per the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act  (AFMA) also involve the inclusion of said sectoral representatives.

In said circular based on the local government code of 1991, respective CSO representatives shall be members of the local school board, local health board and three CSO  representatives in the peace and order council.  

As per schedule based on said circular, CSOs are supposed to apply for accreditation in their respective  sangguniang bodies by the third week of  August,  have already been accredited by their respective sangguniang local bodies by the last week of August and their selection to special bodies on the first to second  week of September.

(This article also appeared in the Mountain Province Exponent, August 11, 2019 issue)

Revisiting the Dantay-Sagada road and calls to probe road works

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE -Cracks along the pavement including scaling and ugly manicures on sections of the rehabilitated works along the multi-million Dantay-Sagada road projects surely explains the reason why no certificate of  acceptance has yet been given by the  Department of Public Works and Highways to repairs done by BMK/ETLatawan, KVC and BLC Construction on their respective road work contracts along this stretch of the national road. And so I came to know from Mountain Province Engineering District Office(MPDEO) district Engr Charles Sokoken.

Otherwise face  consequences of being blacklisted from the roll of registered contractors entitled to bid and be awarded contract projects under the DPWH, said contractors having received directions from the  DPWH have to do remove and replace works within their contract budget or as circumstances  warrant, do correction measures at their own personal expense.

Unless there is a strong convincing reason such as a natural cause that what is defective is not within the contractor’s liability to correct the defect, and it is interesting to know if there is and what is the cause. If there is.  

In the light of this road scenario, concerned citizens wrote a letter to  DPWH Secretary  Rogelio Singson to do an investigation on the multi-million road project  implemented since 2010. 

Glaring  cracks visible along the road just above sitio Dantay are seen on the P48 million road project done by  BMK/ETLatawan who did the road works in 2010 and completed in 2012. Its nearly five years  the given  warranty period and BMK/ETLatawan  is not moving an inch to correct the  defects.  Just pass by this road and see ugly sights including what seems to be buttered black asphalt to correct what is seemingly defective.

So the DPWH and the Department of Tourism  want  to build good, quality roads with international  flavor to be met by contractors who do defective  work  like what is obviously seen along the Dantay-Sagada road. How else can you explain those cracks unless an expert will say that is the work  of the Unseen or a natural cause.

It would note-worthy to  be reminded of the very beginnings of this road in the early 1900s when  American missionary  Engr John Staunton built what then served as the main road to let the riding public  get their way to Sagada where locates the Anglican church  called Church of St Mary the Virgin located in the center of the town. So in recognizance of his pioneering work, the Sanggunian Bayan of Sagada in 2005 passed a resolution which eventually led to the naming of the  national road as Rev. John Staunton road.

Sagada since then became a prime tourist destination, a shangrila of the north visited by backpacker- Caucasians   in the 70s on to the 80s and now frequented by droves of local tourists from Manila and other lowland areas of  the country in the 90s on to the present to get a feel of what is Sagada including its cool air and rich eco-cultural endowments.

Their entrance to this shangrila of the north is none other than through the rugged Dantay-Sagada road  known for its winding and dusty conditions especially during summer season.

The state of the  rugged road since then became rugged as what everyone has experienced, commuters covering their  noses and their  faces from dust that flies to the very insides of busses and  passenger jeeps.

The road remained un-cemented for quite a long period of time  except for  some asphalting in different times of the year before concreting and widening was done in 2010.

Like how funds are finally budgeted and programmed, this goes through pressures of resolutions and lobbying.

Regular funds from the  DPWH went to the improvement of the road  with resolutions from the previous members of the Sangguniang Bayan of  Sagada in 2011 led by former vice mayor Richard Yodong and a joint resolution from the  SB of Sagada and Besao following the unfortunate incident of the  death of Pastor Victor Batcagan and four others in a vehicular accident in 2009. The resolution was then directed to the office of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to release funds for the rehabilitation of said road.

An earlier 20  million peso fund was given by  Bayan Muna plus 2 million from the priority development assistance funds of Senator Francis Pangilinan in 2005  that rehabilitated a 2 kilometer stretch  from sitio Mabbay on to Poblacion terminal.  Remove and replace instructions have  been monitored with the contractor conscious  enough to implement the necessary R and R measures.

Earlier endorsement for the way to be a national road from  regional director of the department of tourism director Purificacion Molintas eventually led to the passage of  Department Order No. 20 issued by former DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr  stating the Dantay-Sagada road is a vital access road to boost the tourism industry of Sagada. So too with the endorsement of the Cordillera Regional Development Council and former Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Affairs Thomas Killip.

And the rest is history with former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo having declared Dantay Sagada Road as a national road during her visit in Sagada in 2008 with some pronouncement of fund support in what led to the initial concreting at the Dantay junction.

From thence,  initial  funds from the regular budget of the DPWH have been poured starting with the  P48 million implemented by  BMK/Latawan followed by P32 million  implemented by  BMK Construction winning the project by a P28 million bid.

A total of  P181 million have already been  programmed and contracted out to cover a 9 kilometer section of the total 13 kilometer Dantay-Sagada road since 2010 to companies namely BMK/ETLatawan, Tarlac-based BMK, Benguet-based KVC, and Baguio-based BLC.

The P7 million  construction of a gabion at the watery curve near Dapdapanan sitio is being done by KVC construction  following a P5 million initial work. The existing work is seemingly waiting for another round of project  funds having stopped momentarily. How this when- will- it- be- finished-contract  shall be finished is a question inviting  anti-corruption  advocates to know if there is something fishy in the road work implementation.

A P7 million peso rehabilitation project is currently being worked on by Bentrix construction involving the blasting of limestone rocks along the road in Antadao covered by a certificate of non coverage (CNC) issued by the regional Environment and Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Dantay-Sagada road has unfortunate stories of its own having claimed lives  which either may be  due to faulty breaks or road conditions in the previous years.

The latest is the driver of  Mayor Eduardo Latawan who died when the car rolled down the banks of the Chico river during the time when the road was being rehabilitated  by BMK/ETLatawan Construction sometime in 2011.

Pastor Victor Batcagan and his family were on their way to Sagada last Oct. 31,2009 when their jeep fell down the road killing five persons and injuring 11 others.

Nine passengers of a Besao-Bontoc jeepney died and nine others were injured when the vehicle plunged down a 50-foot ravine along the road at Sitio Pegeo in November 2007.

The driver of the ill-fated jeepney tried to maneuver the vehicle off the very narrow portion of the road while on an uphill climb when it fell down the ravine.

In the same year, engineer Tomas Lawagan bound to Besao fell down the rice paddies towards the river in his Ford Fiera, along the Sagada-Dantay Road.

In December 1996, a Besao- Bontoc jeep fell in the same section of the road where the Batcagan jeep fell which led to the deaths of seven teachers from Besao and injury to 13 others.

Building good roads is a must  and let this be dedicated to the unfortunate victims  who perished along the Dantay-Sagada road which may be either due to human error or to bad road conditions.

Too, building safe and quality roads gives due reference to the efforts of former officials who wanted genuine development reach the tourist town of Sagada and so too with the adjoining municipality of Besao. And so too with President Benigno Aquino 111 flagship call for  Matuwid na Daan.  

Implementing a multi million peso road work just don’t happen. (Mountain Province Exponent, January 25,2015

The P234 million road works in southern Sagada and horses reverie

Suyo, Sagada-  Located near Balangagan cave is a structure being built folks say is owned by  Sagada Mayor Engr Eduardo Latawan Jr.  In front of the house are materials used for the construction of the  P128 million Sabangan-Taccong, Sagada road  project.

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – From the   defective works of  BMK Construction along the Dantay-SAgada  road is the construction company’s  128  million road project  awarded by the Department  of  Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for BMK to do the  continuation of the P100 million Sabangan-Sagada road via Madepdeppas now passing through Taccong, Sagada  joining the Suyo- Ambasing road,  a convergence program of the Department of Tourism and DPWH.

I cannot help thinking how said construction company was awarded another road work project when an existing road project is currently under DPWH instructions to remove and replace defective works besides still  on validation stage by DPWH.  It is a basic rule that  projects whether from a private undertaking or under government terms have to finish and get certified good or satisfactory or outstanding before awarded another project. 

And so I tried to ask from the DPWH regional director Engr Edilberto Carabacan any special arrangement or rather special conditions of the contract with BMK construction. I introduced my name and told him am from the media and would like to ask him a question.  This is the second time I  talked with Director Carabacan via phone interview, the first time of which was about a controversial  road project in Sagada two years ago.

Carabacan seemed  hesitant and said flag ceremony is going on.  Well, I must have called at a wrong time.  So I told him I will call again. And when I called again, his phone kept ringing. I thought maybe he is busy in another ceremony.  I called again in another time of the day and another day and the phone kept ringing. I guess the director is busy in another ceremony as expected from heads of offices who   do keynote speaking and cut ribbons during launching rites. 

Anyways, this   134 million peso road project  down south Sagada  awarded at a low of  P128 million  to the Tarlac-based company BMK is now the subject of my curiosity much as Balangagan cave is located somewhere  near the road project  in Taccong and so on I took  a visit to see the cave and what other  tourist spots the  DPWH-Dept of  Tourism convergence road  offers  till I reached a dead end.  I say dead end as I found it difficult to go to the other side of the road with wet and muddy mass of soil barring the way. Workers said I have to climb the adjacent slope or walk through the mud. I was not in the mood to get a wet and muddy adventure so I contented myself getting shots around the construction materials area.

Trucks and back hoes  were parked and mounds of sand and gravel were seen obviously used for the on-going construction of the 128 million road project. A number  of water pipes were seen around. I wonder what the pipes are for when the construction project is one that calls for road upgrading and not waterworks project. I glanced around to see a house being built and asked workers around it who owns the house being constructed.

“Si Mayor”, one worker said. I verified, “Latawan?”  And he said yes.   

Wow.... I told myself. Here is a house being built alongside a public construction project just like how the mayor’s house was built at Kal-i, Antadao at the same time that the new Municipal Building was being built sometime during his first term of mayorship in 2009-2010. I wonder if the house will get bigger in dimensions or a much bigger structure will be built in front of the spacious lot where the construction materials were located.  

In front of the house getting constructed is a space potentially wide enough for a big building to be built on and space wide enough for  business to get going. With Balangagan cave located nearby and tourists projected to come in, well, who wouldn’t think of making money when the opportune time comes? And so I came to know the Mayor bought a more than a hectare lot in this side of the town located near the cave.

An enterprising location it is just like any other place located near or within a tourist spot.  Think of Pacdal Circle in Baguio where horseback riding is a come- on with  many souvenir shops  and nearby Mines View Park   where souvenir shops too are a sight. I wonder what business plans the people in Taccong and Suyo have strategized  so that it’s not only the mayor apparently  devising about tourism income a few years from now.

On the other side of the hill is the P100 million Balili-Suyo road via Maduto. A serene atmosphere  greeted me as the vehicle winded down the road with majestic greeneries on the sides of the mountains. Now I understand the tourism potentials of the Balili-Suyo road. While the area  poses a great site for bird watching, the virginal sights are enough of a breathtaking view one can indulge in. The vehicle moved further till I came to a sign that the road is being constructed by Sepian Construction.

Real interesting that the mayor visits the road works at least twice a week, I came to know. I am led to ask the question if the mayor is the contractor also? 

Located further above Maduto is Marlboro hills locally called Lamagan within the territory of Antadao. The Marlboro trail is projected by the municipality of Sagada as a trekking site in its tourism program. I ask,what would be the difference when its already an established trekking site.  

And so I came to know during the  local tourism development  council  meeting a week ago that Marlboro hills is projected to see horses prancing around  with the matching construction of horse stables  getting  me amused  if the mayor’s family  is going to have the land leased  or donate it when these pranced around horse stables and equally prancing horses shall be made  to be  visible  in a projected tourism site on a tax-declared lot measuring 68 hectares  registered in the name of Eduardo Latawan.  Of course it’s another story how a spacious pasture land  got registered in the name of one person while folks from Antadao claim the lot is communal. 

Letter-Appeal Reiterating Call for Speedy and Full Investigation on the Gunban violation in Bunot, Paracelis and calling for rule of law to prevail

Letter-Appeal Reiterating Call for Speedy and Full Investigation on the Arrest and Release
of Gunban Violators in Bunot, Paracelis; Condemning Acts of Terrorism;
and Calling for Rule of Law to Prevail in Mountain Province

PDG Jesus Versoza
Chief
Philippine National Police
Republic of the Philippines

Hon. General Delfin Bangit
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines

Hon. Jose A. Melo
Chairman
Commission on Elections

Atty Nestor Mantaring
Director
National Bureau of Investigation

Mr. Jude Bago
Secretary General
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance

SIRS;
The undersigned are all residents of Mountain Province in their respective capacities either as private individuals or representatives of an organization.

Respectfully reiterating call of previous complaints and/or requests asking your immediate attention to conduct an impartial and full investigation, and speedy action on the following:

1. The incident which transpired on May 11, 2010 resulting to the confiscation of several high powered firearms from three vehicles, and the supposed arrest of the persons involved therein;
2. The events surrounding the direct and/or indirect involvement of congressional candidate Maximo Dalog for violation of provisions of the Election Law against terrorism, violation on his oath of Candidacy to obey all laws of the Philippine Republic, and disregard of the Mountain Province candidates’ Covenant on Peaceful and Clean Elections which Governor Maximo Dalog personally signed.

We, registered voters and concerned persons from Mountain Province are especially appalled at warlordism and terrorism manifested during the height of the May 2010 elections in our Mountain Province. Refer to linked pages of Attached are copies of local papers-Northern Philippine Times, Zigzag Weekly and Northern Dispatch.

It is unfortunate now for Mountain Province to experience this turmoil during the very recent May 2010 election employed by one of the candidates for the congressional position. Mountain Province is now likened to the province of Abra and Maguindanao that during the very recent elections, guns and goons are being utilized.

We especially take note of the confiscation of firearms loaded in three vehicles at sitio Ampekla, barangay Bunot, Paracelis involving eight persons including the son of Governor Maximo Dalog and the nephews of the Governor’s wife, Cecilia Yawan Dalog. We especially take note of the presence of the Governor’s son, Clarence Dalog, as claimed by witnesses to be one of the occupants of one of the confiscated cars and the one who tried to take the Hi-Lux vehicle where some of the confiscated firearms were confiscated.

That on May 11, 2010, three persons – Fangkingan Lomong-oy, Mariano Yawan, and Florizel Mi-ing, all residents from Bontoc, Mountain Province and related by affinity to Gov. Maximo Dalog – were apprehended by elements of Charlie company of 54rth IB of the Philippine Army led by Lt Alvin Dagondon, at sitio Ampecla of barangay Bunot of the vote rich town of Paracelis. Said persons were driving three convoy cars carrying 6 firearms and live ammunitions when they were apprehended.

Surprisingly, the incident report does not include all eight occupants in the same cars including a son of the governor despite controllable situations for all occupants to be arrested and included in the police report. This was made more revealing when Police Inspector Dexter Mariano Paredes was finally named in the charges filed by the Philippine Army at the Provincial Fiscal’s office.

A confiscated Pistol Cal 9MM is registered to Dexter Mariano Paredes as shown in a certification from the Firearms and Explosives Division of the National Police Commission. Refer to ANNEX 8. He was not able to show any Certification of Exception from the Commission on Election from COMELEC Gun Ban.

Another gun confiscated, a high powered 556 Colt, is registered to Gov. Maximo B. Dalog as shown in a certification by the Firearms and Explosives Division of the National Police Commission.The other firearms are yet to be established as to their ownership and how these came into the possession of those arrested.

On said incident, 6 firearms were confiscated- one Bushmaster caliber 223-5.56 loaded with ammunition confiscated from a Mitsubishi Strada vehicle reportedly owned by Leopold Dalog and driven by Mi-ing; 9mm pistol Puerto Beretta, Model 92 FS, one Armscor shotgun rifle, and baby Armalite rifle all with ammunition found in a Toyota Hilux reportedly owned by Eduard Chaokas and driven by Fangkingan; and KG9 Springfield Super 38 loaded with ammunition in a Pajero owned and driven by Yawan.

Also, we especially take note of the release of the three persons arrested due to the refusal of the arresting officers from the Philippine Army not to sign affidavits of arrest which led PNP- Mountain Province not able to file appropriate charges and eventually led to the release of those arrested.

This glaring disregard of the rule of law cannot be tolerated. It breeds unrest, unpeace, and violence. Nor does Mountain Province allow a culture of guns and goons to persist and be tolerated. The people of Mountain Province known for their peaceful nature and close kinship and community ties cannot allow this province to go into a culture of impunity, violence and warlordism.

We call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) to conduct an investigation the soonest possible time the events surrounding the Bunot arrest.

We especially reiterate the call for a thorough and deeper investigation of why not all occupants of the three confiscated cars were not arrested and named in the police report despite controllable situations. We especially ask why Clarence Dalog, son of Governor Dalog was not included among those arrested and named in the Police report, and not charged despite glaring instances to take note of his presence in one of the apprehended cars, and, finally, to determine why the arresting officers despite being a public officers did not sign affidavits of arrest which eventually resulted to the release of the three arrested. We would like to know why arresting officers of the Philippine Army refused to turn over the confiscated fire arms and stayed in their custody. We also call for an objective investigation as to the ownership of guns and the cars confiscated, the latter no more physically impounded within the vicinity of Bontoc Barracks.

We would also like to know why elements of the PNP and the Philippine Army are, by their actions, trying to prevent linking Governor and elected congressman Maximo Dalog by not arresting Clarence Dalog and naming him in the police report, and derailing the rule of law by not filing the necessary affidavits of arrest which led to the eventual release of the suspects.

In the interest of transparency, truth, peace and order, and the rule of law to prevail, it is our fervent prayer that you conduct the appropriate action and direct respective response to charges already filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s office elevated to the Regional State Prosecutor and other petitions which findings of investigation may have bearing to ensure that no one is above the law.


Sincerely,

JULIET PALICOS
Sabangan, Mountain Province

BRENDA D.FUCHAY
Sagada, Mountain Province

AGNES ACOFO
Bontoc, Mountain Province

CHRISTOPHER SALLY
Bauko, Mountain Province

ERNESTO GUNDAY
Paracelis, Mountain Province

LORETA YOCOGAN
Representative
Cordillera Peoples Alliance- Mountain Province

EMERITA M. DAZON
KATRIBU- Mountain Province


Copy furnished:
1. COMELEC Regional Director - CAR
2. COMELEC Mountain Province Chairman
3. Police Superintendent Villamor Bumanglag, PNP Regional Director -CAR
4. Police Superintendent Fortunato Albas, PNP Mountain Province Director
5. NBI Director-CAR
6. Regional State Prosecutor Atty Cesar Nonnatus Rojas

In support to the above letter-appeal we sign our names herein:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bunotparacelisgunban/

Freedom of the press stands endangered in Maguindanao massacre

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Journalist-activist arrested in India; IP rights advocate James Balao still missing

The recent arrest of activist-reporter Jiten Yumnam says that justice and freedom is a continuing movement to realize worldwide. In India, the police are actively pursuing the arrest of "insurgents: working for justice. Arresting “insurgents” actively working for justice and democracy, especially journalists and activists, continue to be perpetrated by Governments who in most cases side with multinational companies’ big business of dams and mines which destroy natural habitats and sustainable livelihood in Indigenous Peoples lands.

Jiten Yumnam, a staunch eco-activist who writes with India-based Imphal Free Press and a freelance writer with Manipur Mail and Sangai Express, has been arrested September 14 by the police at Imphal Airport, Imphal Free Press reports.

Yumnam was on his way to Bangkok for a meeting on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when the arrest happened. He was supposed to proceed to New Zealand for the Indigenous Climate Connections (ICC) afterwards.

Jiten Yumnam is the Joint-Secretary of Citizens’ Concerns on Dam and Development (CCDD) that had been vocal and active in motivating youth engagement in constructive dialogues with Governments in North East India. He is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network (APIYN).

Some of his writings include “Insidious Intrusion of International Financial Institutions in India’s North East” (2008); “Militarization and human rights violations in Manipur” (December 2006) published by Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong; “Mapithel Dam amidst Militaristic Development in Manipur” published in The Sangai Express last 14 December 2008; “Damned Hearings of Tipaimukh High Dam in Manipur” published in New Nation, Bangladesh last May 5, 2008; and “Development Aggression: Imphal Airport and University Expansion” published in the Imphal Free Press (March 15, 2008).

On the same day, Imphal Free Press reports, seven identified executives of the All Manipur United Club Organization (AMUCO) were also arrested after a combined team of Singjamei Police and Imphal West Police Commandos raided their office. The seven executives are Sungchen Koireng, Likmabam Tompok, A. Soken, Irom Brojen, Toarem Ramanda, G. Sharat Kabui and Thiyam Dinesh.

Reports say First Information report (FIR) case has been registered against the eight arrested men (including Jiten Yumnam) and booked under Section 121/121-A of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 16/18/39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section O of the Official Secret Act. Section 121/121-A of the IPC deals with “attempting to wage war” and “conspiring to commit offences against the state”. Sections 16/18/39 of UA (P) deal with “unlawful acts of supporting or motivating” of what the State considers as “insurgents”.

Labeled “insurgents” by the State, other activists working justice in other countries as well including the Philippines, Burma, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand and developed countries were and are either harassed, detained, or killed. Activists share common work with the oppressed that need support including Indigenous Peoples who live on communal lands and natural resources where big dams and mines are being forcibly built by big commercial companies in partnership with Governments and the State’s military forces.

Link here to voice your protest against the arrest of Jiten Yumnam and the other seven activists.

In Malaysia as it commemorated its 46th anniversary on September 16, indigenous Sarawakians have been detained by Kuching police for trying to send a memorandum of protest on the building of big dams in their areas, to the Sarawak Chief Minister. Among those arrested are Mark Bujang (BRIMAS), Raymond Abin (BRIMAS) and Hellan Empaing (WADESA), all leaders of the Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia) and representatives from the Kayan, Kenyah and Penan communities of Sarawak.

In the Philippines, we are reminded of Indigenous Peoples rights activist James Balao who disappeared September 17 last year strongly believed to have been abducted by the government’s military forces. He remains missing. Activists Romy Sanchez disappeared in 9 March, Pepe Manegdeg in 29 November and Albert Terradano in 30 November, all in 2005 also believed to be abducted by elements of the government’s military forces. They are all young men full of dreams for the upliftment of justice and human rights, choosing a path not many would like to tread.

Very recently, 26-year-old Noriel Rodriguez was reportedly abducted by suspected military agents in Gonzaga town, Cagayan province, last week. Noriel is affiliated with the militant Akbayan. She went to Cagayan as part of the group’s peasant integration program that involves medical missions and literacy classes.

Noriel is the 15th Anakbayan member who had either been abducted or killed under the Arroyo administration, reports say. Among them were University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, missing since 2006.