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[Issue Brief] Philippines: The Struggle Against APSA 103
April 23, 2026

Indigenous Peoples in Itogon, Benguet – particularly the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Kalanguya – are intensifying their resistance against the proposed  expansion of gold and silver mining Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. through the Application for Production Sharing Agreement (APSA) 103. The project covers approximately 581 hectares across the barangays of Ampucao, Poblacion, and Virac, including residential areas, water sources, schools, churches, and other essential community infrastructure. Communities warn that the project poses serious threats to ancestral lands, livelihoods, and the fragile mountain environment on which they depend.

The proposed Sangilo Mines Expansion seeks to enlarge underground mining operations to more than 300 hectares and increase production capacity to 1,900 tonnes per day for a potential 34-year period. Residents of Sitio Dalicno, the most directly affected area, fear irreversible environmental damage, heightened disaster risks, and contamination of vital water sources. These concerns are compounded by the already fragile ecological conditions and the long history of large-scale mining impacts in the municipality.

Since 2012, affected communities have consistently opposed APSA 103 through petitions, community resolutions, protest actions, and legal challenges. They assert that the project has advanced despite alleged violations of the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, including exclusion of directly affected Indigenous communities from consultations and concerns over misrepresentation of community positions. These issues have fueled demands to nullify APSA 103 and related permits.

In response, residents have organized protest caravans, filed appeals, and participated in public hearings to assert their rights to ancestral domain and self-determination. The struggle continues as communities exhaust legal avenues while mobilizing collective action to defend their land, livelihoods, and future generations from what they view as destructive large-scale mining expansion. 

Communities call on the Philippine government and project proponents to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights, ensure genuine FPIC, recognize small-scale mining as a legitimate livelihood, and prioritize people-centered policies that protect both the environment and long-term community wellbeing.

Read the full briefing here.

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International organizations condemn the murder of Indigenous Leader Bertha Cáceres in Honduras

Berta Cáceres, indigenous leader and spokeperson for more than 20 years of the Civic Council of Popular and Inigenous Organizations of Honduras (Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras – Copinh), was murdered on 3rd March while she was resting in her home in La Esperanza, Intibucá, about 188 km from Tegucigalpa, by “unknown” gunmen.

Bertha Cáceres was a firm defender of small farmers and indigenous peoples’ rights and an inspiring social activist, both at regional and continental level, in defense of social and environmental justice, particularly against mining megaprojects and hydropower plants.

She had warned amny times about Free Trade Agreements as part of the machinery of impunity of transnational corporations. Bertha committed her life to health, land, against patriarchism and violence. She opposed the political golpe of 28th June 2009; COPINH denounced the golpe as an instrument of violence serving transnational corporations to exploit resources and to repress the dissent of social movements. Bertha also opposed US military bases on Lenca territory.

In April 2015, Bertha Cáceres was awarded with Goldman price, one of the most prestigious awards for environmental defenders. She was awarded for her hard work in defense of the Lenca territory against the Agua Zarca Hydropower Project of the Chinese transnational SINOHYDRO and national company Desarrollo Energético Sociedad Anónima (DESA).
Lenca people had been denouncing for years the violation of human right to water as source of life and culture by corporates, military and governmental actors.

Berta Cáceres was mother of four and was assigned precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) which were not accomplished by the state. Bertha has been assassinated by a state who protect the interests of local capital, transnational corporations who have spoiled the territory. Bertha’s commitment in favour of life, of those most in need, was reason of several trials, investigations and threats against her.

The indigenous leader denounced many times death threats against her, and this was happening among a general violent context; 111 environmental activists in Honduras have been killed between 2002 and 2014, according to the 2014 report “¿Cuántos más?” of the ONG Global Witness. This makes Honduras the country with the highest rate of violence among the 17 countries analysed in the report. It also shows the architecture of impunity and violence of the large scale mining, of the hydroelectric business, among other activities in favour of private capital and complicit governments. According to the Honduras-based organization ACI-PARTICIPA (Asociación para la participación ciudadana en Honduras) more than 90% of assassinations and abuses in the country remain unpunished.

We firmly demands to the government of Honduras:

– To put an end to impunity and proper investigation on the murder of Bertha Cáceres, as well as of all other social and environmental justice activists.

– To ensure the integrity, freedom and to respect Human Rights of Gustavo Castro de Soto and of Aureliano Molina.

– To suspend all projects that have been denounced by Human Rights defenders, among which the Hydropower plant Agua Zarca on Rio Blanco and the Blue Energy project on Rio Cangel.

– That corporations and finance institutions withdraw their support and investments from projects that have violated HHRR or where there has been no free prior and informed consultation, according to ILO Convention 169.

– To put an end to persecution and criminalization of Human Rights defenders and to accomplish with all  precautionary measures for the integrity and safety of people.

We express our solidarity and extend our condolences to the family and close friends of Bertha Cáceres, to the Lenca people, and to the people of Honduras who suffer her irreparable loss.
 
Finally, we call for an international peoples’ mobilization and immediate denounce of Bertha’s assassination to the embassies and consulates of Honduras in our respective countries, to express our repudiation of such crimes and our firm demand of justice. 

Food not Bullets!

Drought-stricken Farmers & Lumads seeking Food Aid, Killed & Dispersed

On March 30, 2016, around 6000 farmers and Lumads (indigenous people of Mindanao) from all over North Cotabato marched to Kidapawan City and picketed the National Food Authority (NFA).  They demanded the release of food aid to alleviate hunger due to massive crop failures caused by El Nino. On the third day of the protest, elements of the Philippine National Police opened fired and violently dispersed an otherwise peaceful assembly. The incident left 2 confirmed dead, 116 wounded (18 of them in critical condition), 89 missing (including six minors), and two, who were arrested by police elements during the dispersal, were tortured.  Aside from these, the police illegally arrested and detained at least 45 men at the Kidapawan Gym, while 27 women of which three are pregnant and two are senior citizens   at the Kidapawan City Convention Center (view this link for the actual footage of the dispersal: https://www.facebook.com/altermidya/videos/616090755207056/

By nighttime, over 4000 of the protesters sought refuge at the United Methodist Church (UMC) compound in the same city. However, the police and military cordoned off the area and cut off the electricity in the compound. The state elements prevented the entry of food, water and medical supplies for the wounded, as well as media and other concerned groups. The protesters spent a tense and hungry night expecting a police raid. Children were crying in hunger.

In a press conference, North Cotabato Governor Lala Mendoza assumed full responsibility for the incident. However, she also stated that she will block any and all assistance to the starving protesters from concerned groups and individuals, going so far as to say that this insults her governance. She also threatened to file charges against UMC Bishop Ciriaco Francisco for “harboring” the protesters.

The El Nino phenomenon has plagued the country since February 2015. By the end of February 2016, 34% of the country experienced drought, 40% by end of March, and 85% by end of April 2016 (FAO). The prevailing El Niño incurred losses of more than P5-billion to local agriculture as of March.

While Mindanao accounts for over 40% of the Philippines’ food requirements and contributes more than 30% to the national food trade, several provinces have already suffered widespread crop damage since late last year. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to stabilize prices of food and basic commodities has declared a state of calamity in drought-stricken cities and provinces such as North Cotabato, Butuan, Zamboanga, General Santos, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Maguindanao, and Guimaras.

Hardest hit are Lumad communities who simultaneously face dislocation and loss of livelihood from their territories due to operations of extractive industries, energy projects and commercial plantations; and human rights violations arising from military operations.  

Recommended actions:

Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for:

1.       Immediate independent investigation of the incident;

2.       Pull-out of police and military elements blocking the entry and exit of protesters and support groups in the UMC compound;

3.       Release of protesters illegally detained by the PNP;

4.       Immediate distribution of the rice support and other calamity assistance to the farmers;

5.       Relief and prosecution of police officials involved in the dispersal and shooting of farmers pending an impartial investigation;

6.       The accountability of Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza and all involved officials; and

7.       The Philippine Government to respect the basic fundamental rights of its citizens to freedom of association and assembly, and to provide necessary aid in disaster situations.


You may send your communications to:

H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III
President of the Republic
Malacañang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: op@president.gov.ph

Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Fax:+63 (2) 638 2216
stqd.papp@opapp.gov.ph

Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-6193 / 911-0488 / 982-5600
Fax:+63(2) 982-5600
Email: osnd@philonline.com, dnd.opla@gmail.com

Emmanuel L. Caparas
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila
Direct Line 521-8344; 5213721
Trunkline: 523-84-81 loc.214
Fax: (+632) 521-1614
Email: soj@doj.gov.ph

Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex, Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 929 0102

Land Rights Now!

JOIN US! We Demand Land Rights Now!

WHY GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION?

We demand #landrightsnow!

Our GOAL is to work hand in hand with all indigenous brothers and sisters across the globe, in collaboration with other sectors, groups and advocates to secure the collective land rights of more than 370 million indigenous peoples around the world. By 2020, we aim to double the area of land legally recognized as owned or controlled by indigenous peoples.

We are the guardians of this planet! We want Change!

We have nurtured and conserved our land and resources for centuries, which are the bases of our culture, identity, traditional knowledge, sustainable livelihoods and wellbeing. In spite of our invaluable roles and contributions to conservation, enhancement of biodiversity, low carbon lifestyle and sustainable resource governance, our rights to our land and resources are violated with impunity in the name of “national development” causing more inequality, discrimination, hunger and poverty. It’s time to change the dominant system that disregards indigenous peoples’ rights and empowerment; and instead uphold the sustainability of mother earth.

Securing land rights of indigenous peoples is critical in achieving the Global Agenda: 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals) and in addressing climate change. The success of eradicating poverty and hunger and “Leaving No One Behind” is hinged on securing our land rights.

Land is Life! Let’s champion this Global Call to Action and build the broadest unity and solidarity of indigenous peoples across the globe to defend our land, territories and resources! This is our duty to protect our collective survival and for the future generations.

PARTICIPANTS FROM ASIA[1]

Organizations:

208 CSOs and IPOs from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Taiwan[2]

Indigenous Community:

1, Tananahu community, Maluku, Indonesia

WHAT HAVE BEEN DONE?

National Launch of the Call:

Malaysia, 2 March, 2016

Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) announced their plans to map out and consolidate Orang Asal territories in conjunction with the launch of the Global Call to Action on Indigenous and Community Land Rights.

More information: http://iphrdefenders.net/malaysia-joas-map-orang-asal-traditional-lands-territories/

Myanmar, 5 March, 2016

One-day forum on land rights discussed the newly adopted National Land Use Policy— NLUP, opportunities and challenges, as well as the engagement of civil society organizations and indigenous peoples, with the country’s new government on the land rights law.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/LandRightsNow370/

Cambodia, 15 March, 2016

Gathering and press conference organized by the Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Alliance (CIPA), brought together 30 indigenous representatives from indigenous communities to share on the land rights issues and cases they are facing.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yPaG1JEvHM

Thailand, 30-31 March, 2016

Two-day national workshop on land issues held in Chiang Mai, brought together more than 100 indigenous representatives from all over Thailand. The workshop ended with a press conference and a Declaration of the Network of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (NIPT) on the Proposed Solutions to the Problems of Land and Resource Management by Indigenous Peoples.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/LandRightsNow370/

Asia Regional Launch of the Call:

Myanmar, 12 March, 2016

Around 60 indigenous representatives from 12 countries, namely Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan/China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Malaysia and the Philippines, jointly launched the Campaign at the regional level. The participants, including representatives of indigenous women and youth as well as indigenous persons with disabilities, expressed their strong commitment to demand together their collective land rights as affirmed in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

More information: http://iphrdefenders.net/asia-regional-launch-global-call-action-indigenous-community-land-rights/

Support to land rights of Indigenous Women:

The statement of AIPP on Indigenous Women and Land Rights was issued on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2016 which was translated in Thai, Khmer and Burmese languages and widely circulated to AIPP members and networks.

More information: http://aippnet.org/strengthening-solidarity-for-indigenous-womens-land-rights-in-2016/

Campaign/communication materials:

WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?

  • Producing more campaign materials: videos and translation of campaign materials to a number of national languages[3]
  • Providing technical assistance in relation to GCA activities targeting members and partners at the country level and local level when necessary;
  • Supporting community mapping for legal recognition in India; and mobilizing support for Cambodia and Malaysia;
  • Supporting local struggles in defense of land rights against mining, large dams, agribusiness, among others;
  • Documenting indigenous peoples’ sustainable resource management for awareness-raising and policy advocacy;
  • Integrating the GCA into all the programmes of AIPP and relevant events;
  • Circulating widely all relevant statements, publications, audio-visual materials at the regional and global levels;
  • Collaborating and building partnerships and networks for joint policy advocacy and support to community struggles and initiatives

WHAT’S NEXT?

  • Increase the number of awareness raising activities to mobilize more indigenous organizations and communities to sign the Call and make their land rights activities more visible;
  • Encourage National Human Rights Institutions to undertake Land Inquiries such as those done in Malaysia and Indonesia;
  • Conduct case studies on land rights issues i.e. large dams, mining and others related to trade and investments for policy advocacy and to generate support for indigenous communities;
  • Build and strengthen collaboration and networking at the national level to pursue policy advocacy on the recognition of land rights such as in Thailand and Nepal;
  • Strengthen collaboration and advocacy at the local and national levels for proper and immediate implementation of the legal collective land rights recognition in India, Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines, among others;
  • Prepare a report on the first year of the GCA campaign[4] covering achievements, activities, opportunities, challenges, as well as the way forward;
  • Develop concrete plan and strategies on the GCA as part of the overall strategic plan for 2017 -2020 to be adopted by the AIPP General Assembly on September, 2016;
  • Mobilize indigenous communities and organizations in Asia to take action together during the International Indigenous Peoples Day on 9 August, 2016 and beyond.
For more information, please CONTACT US: Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact www.aippnet.org Joan Carling (Ms.) Secretary General joan@aippnet.org   Patricia Miranda Wattimena (Ms.) Advocacy Coordinator patricia@aippnet.org

[1] Data per 5 May, 2016

[2] 12 countries where AIPP members and partners are

[3] Target countries: Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Timor Leste

[4] To be published on March, 2017