by Megan Olladas
History has allowed us to learn from the people who came before us, yet we can only truly know a fraction of what transpired in their lifetime. Behind all the claims of glory and progress lies something more than meets the eye. There is always more than one side of the story. In the seemingly endless cycle of centuries of exploitation, there still remains the stories of the oppressed, waiting to be heard and told.
As our own history has proven, those in power have continuously abused and tolerated the terrorization of natives, time and time again. Centuries ago, long before the Spanish ships lined the Philippines’ shores, many tribes thrived on these very lands. With the arrival of these Spanish ships came the change of our very identity. The native lands were claimed by the Spanish government, leaving the original inhabitants with nothing, not even given the right to claim the place they once inhabited. The natives who refused to conform to the religion of the Spaniards were forced out of their homes, finding refuge within the mountains and forests.
Then came the Americans who plundered the lands of Mindanao. With the implementation of their laws, the government had absolute power and control over all the lands of the indigenous people. The ancestral domains were considered to be public lands. The government alone had the power to classify and use it in their favor. With a land title at the hands of the authorities, they were free to easily take the resources of these ancestral lands without an ounce of remorse for the numerous communities who would have to suffer the aftermath of such deeds.
Today is no different. One would think the Philippines’ liberalization from our colonizers would lead to a new beginning but sadly it is still the same old story. Up to now, the indigenous communities are not spared from such acts of brutality.Though the time of post-colonization did bring forth the implementation of laws allowing tribes to defend their ancestral domains, it was not enough to solve all disputes and protect the very people of these lands. Communities such as the Lumads are continuously harassed and killed for defending what is rightfully theirs.
The cries of outrage continue to fall onto deaf ears. How one could easily turn a blind eye from the slaughtered bodies and simply allow the degradation of the people’s dignity is beyond comprehension. The oppression of the minority only led to further violation of their human rights. The indigenous tribes have suffered unimaginable pain and anguish from their supposedly fellow countrymen. Some were tortured, many were killed, and their rights were violated countless times.
Their brown skin is the same as ours. Their blood is the same that flows through our veins. They are just as Filipino as you and me, yet they suffer the price for owning and fighting for their identity. After being colonized for hundreds of years, it seems as if we are still living in the past where those in power easily rule over the weak. Pitted against one another, are we truly free or are we continuously doomed to repeat history?
For better or for worse, this is the reality of our history that can and should not be ignored any longer. The fight against these injustices will not vanish overnight. It will take time to create such a radical change. Even so, by looking back at our history and starting with a few steps in reforming policies and catering to the needs of the indigenous communities, the injustice and discrimination they have experienced may be addressed little by little. Perhaps then the story may lead to a different ending.
References
https://www.rappler.com/nation/timeline-attacks-lumad-mindanao
https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2010/12/indigenous-peoples-in-the-philippines-continuing-struggle.html
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