Pakigbisog sa lupang ninuno: a study on the effect of forced displacement to Lumad’s right to ancestral domain.

Abstract

The research is an explanatory work on how the forced displacement impinged on the right of the Lumads to ancestral domain. It also explains the reasons and driving forces of the forced displacement such as poverty, lack of basic social services and the intense militarization to their communities. Through interviews with Lumads, an expert of the Lumad cultre, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, non-government agencies with close links to the lumad, and members of the academe, the researcher aims to answer the effect of forced displacement to their right to ancestral domain and identify the reasons behind the phenomena. It seems that the main driving force of the Lumads forced displacement is the intense militarization of their communities. It leads to human rights violations and continuous harassments from these state actors. Forced displacement impinges on their right to ancestral domain because it prohibits them on fully enjoying their rights and it affects the quality condition of their life. Also, it makes them more vulnerable and at risk to different threats – natural or man – made. The only solution to address these problems would be the full implementation of Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, pulling –out of military from their communities and give them basic social services in their communities.