Petition on the human rights violations in Blaan Communities

Dear friends and fellow child rights advocates,

Greetings of Peace and Solidarity!

The Association for the Rights of Children in Southeast Asia (ARCSEA) is a regional non-government organization (NGO) working to promote and advocate the rights of children. We are implementing projects for survival, development, protection and most especially participation.

We are informing you about the current situation in one of our project areas and encourage you to likewise disseminate these human rights violations.

We are currently working towards building a multi-purpose center and a potable water system in Sitio Dlumay, Baranggay Upper Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani province. This project is funded by ARCI Comitato Regionale Toscana and UNICOOP Firenze. This area is inhabited by B’laans, an ethnic minority settled in the remote areas of Mindanao.

Our partner, Center for Lumad Advocacy and Services (CLANS), a non-government organization (NGO) providing services for B’laans, narrated to us various incidence of harassments and intimidations perpetrated by elements of the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and members of the Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

These atrocities wreak terror and trauma not just to B’laan children but to the whole B’laan community.

Temporarily, the school, B’laan Literacy School and Learning Center (BLSLC) eventually stopped its operations for the time being but are firmly resolved to continue with the graduation of students as soon as it is possible.

Furthermore, we likewise are sending a letter to the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines and other responsible offices/ agencies to inform them about these human rights violations for their immediate action.

We strongly condemn these acts and demand for the immediate pull out of the AFP in the said areas where similar incidences occur.

Moreover, we are also calling for an immediate investigation and corresponding punishment for the perpetrators.

In this connection, we are asking for your solidarity action by signing in the attached Petition Letter and whatever possible help that you can extend for CLANS and the B’laan communities.

Currently, CLANS is planning for an immediate provision of relief goods and a fact finding mission in the future. Should there be a need to evacuate the B’laans, CLANS would welcome any support.

We are hoping that you closely join hands with us in this endeavor.

In the service of the Filipino children,

(sgd)

Madella T. Santiago, RSW

Executive Director

Association for the Rights of Children in Southeast Asia (ARCSEA)

"We believe children are inherent resource of society... even while they are still children." -- ARCSEA (www.childrightssea.org)