‘Illegal mining, logging’ led to Agusan tribal feud

Land-grabbing, illegal mining, and logging were the root causes of still-unsolved criminal cases that threaten the peace and order situation in Agusan del Sur, three witnesses told the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday. During the CHR's public inquiry on extralegal killings and hostage taking in Agusan del Sur, witness Leonora Buyog Pundugar told CHR Chairperson Leila De Lima and Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag that fights over lands planted with falcata and other wood species and ancestral lands with mineral resources cause conflict in the area. Pundugar claimed she lost her father, brothers and some relatives to assassins allegedly hired by a wealthy tribal datu who is now a businessman operating gold mining and logging operations. “Kaya di masolve yung mga patayan sa amin kasi nakasandal sila sa pader at hanggang ngayon, walang hustisya sa pagkapatay ng tatay and mga kapatid ko (The killings aren't solved because they enjoy solid backing, and until now there is not justice for the deaths of my father and brothers)," Pundugar said. Two other witnesses, Supreme Datu Bagtikan Roy Gallego and Aniana Perez, mother of Ondo Perez, also said illegal mining and logging that lead to land grabbing often cause the troubles hounding indigenous peoples in the region. De Lima told the nearly 100 participants—mostly concerned government officials and personnel, media, immediate family members of the slain victims, and observers—that the purpose of the inquiry was to identify and find solutions to finally stop conflict among warring tribal groups that lead to unsolved killings and hostage takings. “After further probe in the wake of December 10, 2009 hostage-taking incident in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur perpetrated by Ondo Perez and his armed group, we are certain that the abduction was only a strand in a greater scheme of impunity, criminality and violence gripping Agusan del Sur," De Lima said. The CHR chairperson said that while the killings in Agusan del Sur were related to warring tribal groups or factions, it does not help the situation when the military and the police appear to be pitting one indigenous people's faction against another. CHR records showed that there were at least 18 extrajudicial killings likely related to tribal clan wars in the area. Ondo Perez had earlier complained that their rivals were not being pursued for criminal activities while his group became the subject of a police manhunt that ended with the abduction of several civilians, including children. Ondo Perez and his group are now detained at the Agusan del Sur Provincial Jail for criminal charges. According to police and military officials testifying before the CHR, they are still keeping close watch on Ondo Perez’s rival armed group headed by Joel Tubay, which is also facing criminal charges. Perez’s and Tubay’s armed groups were former CAFGU members, according to police reports and witnesses' testimonies. – Ben Serrano/JV/LBG, GMANews.TV