The Philippine island of Mindanao is one of the world’s most dangerous places for human rights defenders

According to the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), the southern Philippine island of Mindanao is one of the most dangerous places in the world for human rights activists. At least 15 human rights defenders were killed there for political reasons since January 2011. "The last of these murder cases took place just two days ago," said the STP’s expert on questions regarding Asia, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Friday. The victims were not killed in connection with the civil war between Muslim rebels and the Philippine Army, which has been going on for decades in parts of Mindanao: The human rights activists were murdered because they protested against land grabs and mining projects. "Lawlessness and arbitrariness are increased by the fact that those who are responsible for the killings remain unpunished." 

Most of the victims belong to the approximately 13 million Lumad, which is what the 18 indigenous communities are commonly called on Mindanao. They are trying to defend themselves against land-loss – peacefully and by means of self-help organizations. On October 3, 2012, the 47-year-old Gilbert Paborada was cold-bloodedly shot by a motorcycle-hit-squad in Puntod (Province of Misamis Oriental). Being chairman of the human rights organization Pangalasag (Indigenous Shield), Padabora had already received several death threats and had therefore moved away from his birthplace. He leaves behind a seven year old child. His human rights organization connects native people of the Higaonon who are trying to defend themselves against new oil palm plantations. The Philippine company A. Brown – which already has 2,200 hectares of oil palm plantations in Mindanao – is trying to acquire 8,000 more hectares for the production of palm oil.

On September 13, 2012, the human rights activist Genesis Ambason was murdered near the town of San Luis. The 23 year old member of the Banwaon people was Secretary General of the Organization Tagdumahan which is trying to fight mining projects in north-eastern Mindanao. He was the second chairman of this indigenous human rights organization to be murdered since 2009.