We, the seventeen tribes of lndigenous Peoples of the Dulangan Monobo, Subnnen, Togakaolo, Mandaya, Teduray, Lombangian, Mornanwa, Ubo, Uvo Menuvu, Bonwaon, Higaonon, Tinananen, Kulomanen, Matigsalog, T’boli, trumenen ne Menuvu and B’laan from the different points in Mindanao, gathered on the occasion of the Conference on the lndigenous Peoples and the Bangsamoro Basic Law in commemoration of the 66^th lnternational Human Rights Day, hereby acknowledge our common plight in our respective ancestral domains such as but not limited to the:

– Killings and physical harassments of lP rights defenders;

– Occupation of ancestral domain by Moro armed groups;

– Physical threats and feeling of insecurities brought about by mining, logging and agribusiness plantations;

– Recruitment of civilians and young people to the Bangsamoro lslamic Armed Forces BIAF;

The above current realities of the lndigenous Peoples serve as a backdrop while the Government of the Philippines and the Moro lslamic Liberation Front peace process is gaining momentum with the Bangsamoro Basic Law undergoing deliberation in Congress for its eventual adoption. Despite the popular perception that this peace process will usher in the much awaited peace and development in Mindanao, it however generated uncertainties and great concern among the lP communities in the core territory and adjacent areas in the proposed Bangsamoro.

The series of killings and harassments of lP leaders and community members in their ancestral domains are perceived by the affected communities as caused by their assertion of their right to self-determination, especially on the context of the ongoing ancestral domain claim delineation process and their protection of their lands from the encroachment of development projects such as mining and agribusiness plantations.

Thus, while the Bangsamoro Basic Law is still undergoing deliberations and provide democratic space for all stakeholders to provide inputs, we would like to take this opportunity to:

REITERATE our support for the Full lnclusion of lP rights in the BBL and AFFIRM the specific alternative lP provisions proposed by the Timuay Justice and Governance during the Congressional the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL in Nuro, Upi last October 22,2014. A copy of the submitted position paper and said alternative provisions are attached hereto [1];

Further, we would like to substantiate the initial alternative proposals, to wit:

Right to Ancestral Domain

We believe that our right to our Ancestral Domain is inherent and inherited from our ancestors. This is the material base for the exercise of our lndigehous Political Systems as manifested in our tribal self-governance, customary laws, practices and indigenous faith. lt is our sanctuary, the home to our peoples.

Our ancestral domain is life. lt is where we derive our food and medicine for our health and well-being. The ancestral domaine is our living environment, the biodiversity that sustain the web of life. This is our collective training ground where we practice our lndigenous Knowledge systems, and beliefs. This serves as our communal market.

Right to ldentity

The lPs have distinct identity. Outwardly this is shown in our tribal attires, management of our custcmary laws and traditions like the Teduray with their Tegudon, Dowoy, the Dulangan Manobo’s Munoy Kemet Ketab, the B’laan’s Kesfalah, the Erumenen ne Menuvu’s Kamol, the Matigsalog
Kulnmanon, Manobo’s Polabiyan Gantangan managed by their Timuays, Datu and Fulong that deal with all conflicts within their respective ancestral domains.

Because of this distinctness, we are not Bangsamoro. We have deep respect for our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, thus, we expect to be respected and recognized in the same manner.

For us lndigenous Peoples, ldentity is NOT a Choice. lt is a Gift from God.

Right to Cultural lntegrity, Social lustice and Human Rights

This is the existing customary practices, lndigenous Knowledge, Skills and Practices. sacred and burial grounds, culture and language of lPs.

Right to Self-Governance

This is the realization of the rights of lPs towards self-governance and the respect of the integrity of their self-worth and customary laws and institutions that guarantees the rights of the lPs for their sovereign will in the realization of their social, cultural and economic development.

Free, Prior and lnfornred Consent (FPIC)

Pursuant to the Right to Self-Governance, the lndigenous Peoples have the rights to determine or come up with a consensual decision making process among themselves understood by the whole community in accordance with their respective customary laws or processes free from external control, interference and coercion as regards any development intervention that will be introduced in the community.

lndigenous Peoples have the right to use their accepted customary justice systems and institutions for the resolution of conflict, peacebuilding processes and mechanisms and other customary laws within their respective communities in consonance to the national and international human rights systems.

Right to self-Determination is the right of peoples to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development free from external control and manipulation as guaranteed by the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of lndigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Having reiterated and affirm our collective position, we would like to take this opportunity to Call for a Congressional inquiry in light of the increasing insecurities and threats to the life of the indigenous Peoples leaders and the communities where they are situated and to investigate the causes of these insecurities and to impose appropriate sanctions thereof.

On this day, December 11-, 2A74, in Midsayap, Cotabato, invoking the guidance of our ancestors, we,hereby signed our names:

[Signatures follow]