We observe that Indigenous peoples across various tribes are experiencing widespread oppression, loss of their ancestral lands, and lack of justice in their communities.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has granted CLOA (Certificate of Land Ownership Award) to lands that are part of ancestral domain territories. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued Free Patent Titles on ancestral lands, despite these being protected as territories of Indigenous peoples. Additionally, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has failed to fulfill its duty to safeguard and defend the Four Bundles of Rights and the 36 Rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples. The NCIP has not carried out the required Field-Based Investigation (FBI) or obtained Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), resulting in the displacement of Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands by individuals, businesspeople, and some corrupt politicians.

We are addressing this situation to the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Human Rights organizations, and the United Nations to seek justice for Indigenous communities and to put an end to the illegal land grabbing of Indigenous peoples without due process. We call for the restoration of the lands that have been taken, emphasizing the biblical principle of justice.

Biblical Principles

“Ang mga nagkakasala sa mga Katutubo ay magsisisi, at ang kanilang mga gawa ay pabagsakin. Sapagkat sinabi ni YAHWEH, ‘Huwag ninyong agawin ang mga lupaing ibinigay Ko sa inyong mga ninuno.’ (Isaiah 10:2)”

“Maghiganti SI YAHWEH sa lahat ng hindi makatarungan, at ang mga inagaw na lupa ay ibabalik sa mga tunay na may-ari.” (Joel 3:2)

We ask for immediate intervention to ensure the protection, restoration, and justice for the Indigenous communities across the country.