World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Philippines

Environment

The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago located in South-East Asia consisting of more than 7,000 islands. The country is divided into three major island groups: Luzon in the north, including the capital, Manila, the largest group; the island grouping in the middle, the Visayas, the smallest; and Mindanao, in the south. Its climate is mainly hot and humid, with tropical forests covering much of its mountainous regions.

History

The original inhabitants are believed to have been Negrito hunter-gatherers, followed by different waves of Malay immigrants from what are now Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In 1521, during Magellan's global circumnavigation, the Spaniards claimed the islands for Spain and named them Las Islas Filipinas in honour of King Philip II of Spain. The nearly three centuries of Spanish rule had two far-reaching effects: the introduction of Catholicism and a land-tenure system based on Spanish feudalism. Today, the Philippines is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, the only Christian nation in South-East Asia. When the USA defeated the Spanish in Cuba in 1901, Spain ceded the Philippines to the USA. The Filipino independence movement, which had started in the mid-1800s, continued its armed struggle. The USA brutally suppressed the nationalist movement and proceeded to rule for the next 50 years. It greatly expanded education and transportation, and encouraged agricultural and commercial production. Nationalists were co-opted into the political process, which was based on US constitutional practices. The Philippines finally became independent in 1946.

During the early independence period a communist insurgency developed in Luzon. This movement, known as the Huk movement, was defeated in the 1950s with US assistance. But a second communist movement, under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines established the New People's Army and, led by Huk elements and radical students, re-emerged in the late 1960s. Simultaneously, a Muslim insurgency developed in Mindanao after decades of a growing influx of Christian Filipinos and land policies that were perceived as disadvantaging or excluding Moro Muslims. These two insurgencies, and a desire to remain in office, led President Marcos to declare martial law in 1972. Marcos's authoritarian rule lasted until 1983, when opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated on his return from exile in the USA. An election held shortly afterwards saw a landslide victory for his widow, Corazon Aquino. When Marcos refused to hand over power, a popular uprising, People's Power, forced him into exile in Hawai'i and Corazon Aquino became president.

Peoples

Main languages: Tagalog (national language), Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Waray, Pampangan, English (widely used)

Main religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist, animist and others 3% (2000 Census).

Main minority groups: Cebuano (20.16 million), Tagalog (13.93 million), Ilocano (9.53 million), Hiligaynon (8.06 million), Central Bicolano (3.5 million), Waray (3.4 million), Kapampangan (2.6 million), Albay Bicolano (2.1 million), Pangasinan (1.6 million), Malay (1.2 million), Maranao (1.09 million), Maguindanao (1.07 million), Tausug (1.02 million), Min Nan Chinese (922,000), Masbateño (764,000). (Census 2000).

The vast majority of the population of the Philippines (some 76.5 million according to the 2000 Census), speak one of the approximately 171 languages native to the country, most of which are part of the Malayo-Polynesian language branch of the Austronesian language family. Some 70 minority groups are considered to be indigenous, about 27 of which are known by the Spanish name of 'Negritos', meaning little black ones. They clearly preceded the Austronesian groups in the Philippines. More recent minority-language arrivals include English, Spanish, Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Chabacano.

Most Filipinos are Christians, but there is a significant Muslim minority, including a number of ethnic groups, known collectively by the Spanish term 'Moros', who make up approximately 5 per cent of the population (about 3 million) and are concentrated in the southern Philippines, mainly in Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu archipelago. Some of the indigenous groups retain elements of animism, and there are also small Buddhist and Jewish minorities.

Governance

The return of democracy led to a series of reforms strengthening human rights protection. However corruption, the Asian economic crisis, the downfall of President Joseph Estrada and attempted coups against the current administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have nevertheless all hampered the ability of the country's institutions - including the judicial system - from properly ensuring the implementation of the various rights enshrined in the Constitution and legislation.

Although democratic rule has been established for some years now, Filipino politics remain based on patron-client relations and dominated by a dozen powerful elite families. All the major landholding families and political figures remain mestizo (of mixed Spanish- Filipino descent). Legislation to protect indigenous land rights, such as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, has been very slowly implemented, if at all. Death squads have been operating to oppose land redistribution and have threatened, beaten or killed a number of farmers and activists in recent years.

Minorities

• Chinese
• Indigenous peoples
• Muslims

Resources

Minority based and advocacy organisations

General

Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia)
Tel: +66 2391 8801 (Thailand)
Website: http://www.forum-asia.org/

Asian Human Rights Commission
Tel: +852 2698-6339 (China)

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ahrchk.net/index.php

Ateneo Human Rights Center
Tel: +63-2-899-7691
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ateneolaw.ateneo.edu/

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan - New Patriotic Alliance
Tel: +63 2 435 9151
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bayan.ph/

Center for Peace, Gender and Human Rights Education
Tel: +63 2 527 03 66
Email: [email protected]

Cordillera Peoples' Alliance
Tel: +63 74 442 2115
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.cpaphils.org/

Human Rights Youth Action Network
Tel: +63 2 927 8257
Email: [email protected]

Hurights OSAKA
Tel: +816 6577 35 78 (Japan)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hurights.or.jp

Institute of Human Rights
Tel: +63 2 920 5301
Email: [email protected]

Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines
Tel: +63-2-928 1372
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.lrcksk.org/

Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates
Tel: +63 2 436 26 33
Website: http://www.philippinehumanrights.org/

Philippine Human Rights Information Center
Tel: +63 2 433 1714
Email: [email protected]

Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
Tel: +1 202 667 4690 (USA)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.searac.org/

Muslim

Asian Muslim Action Network in the Philippines (AMANPHIL)
Tel: +63 62 9923528
E-mail: [email protected]

Moro Human Rights Center
Tel: +63 2 433 6816
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://kalilintad.tripod.com/

Moro People's Resource Center
Tel: +63 21 5756

Indigenous peoples

Indigenous Peoples Organization in Palawan Philippines
Tel: +63 048 433 65 74
Email: [email protected]

Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas - Federation of Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines

Tel: +63 2 921 10 58

Legal Assistance Center for Indigenous Filipinos
Tel: +63-2-372 3716
Email: [email protected]

Lumad Mindanaw
Tel: +63-82-79947

National Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines
Tel: +63 2 456 1918
Email: [email protected]

Philippines Indigenous Peoples Links
Tel: +44 (0)20 7095 1555
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.piplinks.org/

Tebtebba - Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education
Tel: +63 74 4447 703
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.tebtebba.org

Tunay na Alyansa ng Bayan sa Katutubo - TABAK (Alliance of Advocates for Indigenous Peoples' Rights)
Tel: +63-2-922 003

United Association of Higaonon Tribes
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unahi.org/

Sources and further reading

General

AHRC Philippines Human Rights Country Page, retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.philippines.ahrchk.net/

Alamia, Laisa, The Sea Nomads of the Philippines: On the Verge of Extinction?, Working Group on Minorities, 11th Session, May 30- June 3 2005. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/minorities/docs/11/Lumah_3a.doc

Alan, Mercedes; Amihan Cruz;, et al., Mindanao Ethnic Communities: Patterns of Growth and Change, University of the Philippines, 2003.

Breaking promises, Making profits: Mining in the Philippines, Christian Aid and PIPLinks, 2004. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 www.piplinks.org/development_issues/mines_quarries.htm

Carling, Joan, The Tourism Industry in the Philippines and Its Impact to Cordillera Indigenous Peoples', paper presented at the Workshop on Tourism and Indigenous Peoples during the UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, 28 July 1998.

Human Rights Record of the Philippines: Spectacular on paper, Asian Centre for Human Rights, 20 October 2003. Available at http://www.achrweb.org/reports/philippines/Philippines-01-03.pdf

Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Minorities and Poverty Reduction Philippines, Asia Development Bank, June 2002. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 www.adb.org/Documents/Reports/Indigenous_Peoples/PHI/indigenous _phi.pdf

Landa Jocano, L., Filipino Ethnic Indigenous Communities: Patterns, Variations, and typologies, Punland Research House, 1998.

Lebar, Frank, Ethnic Groups of Insular Southeast Asia: Philippines and Formosa, Human Relations Area Files, 1975.

Rodil, B.R., The Lumad and Moro of Mindanao, London, MRG report, 1993.

Roxas-Lim, Aurora, 'Philippine Ethnolinguistic Groups', in Cultural Dictionary for Filipinos, Thelma B. Kintanar and Associates (eds), University of the Philippines Press, 1996.

Steinberg, D., The Philippines: A Singular and Plural Place, Boulder, CO, Westview Press, 1990.

Timberman, D., A Changeless Land: Continuity and Change in Philippines Politics, New York, M.E. Sharpe, 1991.

Muslims

Asani, Abdurasad, The Bangsamoro People: A Nation in Travail, Journal Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs V.6, N.2 July 1985, pp. 295-314.

Ashworth, Georgina, The Philippine Moslems, World Minorities Vol.1, Quartermaine House, 1977.

Ayala Milligan, Jeffrey, Faith in School: Educational Policy Responses to Ethno-Religious Conflict in the Southern Philippines, 1935-1985, Journal of Southeast Asian Studies (2005), Vol. 36, pp. 67-86.

Bangsamoro Online: retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.bangsamoro.info/

Che Man, W. K., Muslim Separatism: The Moros of Southern Philippines and the Malays of Southern Thailand, Oxford University Press, 1990.

Fallon, Joseph, Igorot and Moro National Reemergence: The Fabricated Philippine State, retrieved August 13 2007 www.cwis.org/fwj/21/imnr.html

Gowing, Peter, Mosque and Moro: A Study of Muslims in the Philippines, Federation of Christian Churches, 1964.

Gutierrez, Eric and Borras Jr, Saturnino, The Moro Conflict: Landlessness and Misdirected State Policies, 2004.

Lingga, Abhoud Syed, The Muslim Minority in the Philippines, January 2004. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 www.islamawareness.net/Asia/Philippines/muslimminority.pdf

Madale, Nagasura, The Filipino Muslims, Phoenix Publishing House, 1981.

Maranao.com, retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.maranao.com/

Philippine Ethnic and Muslim Minorities: Educating Children the Traditional Way, Mountain Research and Development Vol 26 No 1 Feb 2006, pp. 24-27. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.mrd- journal.org/pdf/Arquiza_MRED26_1_pp24-27.pdf

Rodil, B.R., The Lumad and Moro of Mindanao, London, MRG report, 1993.

Samal Moro: retrieved August 13 2007 www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Samal-Moro-Orientation.html

Southern Philippines Backgrounder: Terrorism and the Peace Process, International Crisis Group, Asia Report N°80, 13 July 2004. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 www.crisisgroup.org/home

Stark, Jan, Muslims in the Philippines, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, Volume 23, Number 1/April 2003.

Indigenous peoples

Abejuela III, Ricarte, Indigenous Education in the Philippines: A Case Study of the Sagu-Ilaw School of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions, School of Community Education and Industrial Technology, 2006. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/apeid/Conferenc e/papers/ABEJUELA_7d.pdf

Broad, Robin, and Cavanagh, John, Plundering Paradise, Anvil Publishing, 1993.

Carling, Joan, Indigenous Peoples, the Environment and Human Rights in the Philippines: the Cordillera Experience, Cordillera Peoples Alliance, October 2001, available at, retrieved August 13 2007 www.asiasource.org/asip/carling.cfm

Challenges of Implementing the SR's Recommendations in the Philippines, International Expert Seminar on Best Practices for the Implementation of the Recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous People, Rights & Democracy, October 2006.

Cordillera: Indigenous Rights vs. Globalization, 30 June 2001, retrieved August 13 2007 www.unpo.org/article.php?id=231

Development Conflict: The Philippine Experience, Minority Rights Group and KAMP, November 2002. Available at, http://minorityrights.org/Dev/mrg_dev_title4_philippin es/mrg_dev_title3_philippines.htm

Eder, James, Indigenous Peoples, Ancestral Lands and Human Rights in the Philippines, Cultural Survival Quarterly 18, 2&3, 1994, pp. 13-17.

Fallon, Joseph, Igorot and Moro National Reemergence: The Fabricated Philippine State, retrieved August 13 2007 www.cwis.org/fwj/21/imnr.html

Forest Peoples Programme: Philippines, retrieved August 13 2007 www.forestpeoples.org/documents/asia_pacific/bases/philippines.sht ml

Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines: retrieved August 13 2007 www.iwgia.org/sw16704.asp

Indigenous Peoples of the World: The Aeta, retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.peoplesoftheworld.org/

Mangyan Heritage Center, retrieved August 13 2007 www.mangyan.org/about/index.html

Many Islands, Many Peoples, Survival International, 1998

Mayo-Anda, Grizelda, Cagatulla, Loreto L., and Antonio G. M. La Vina, Is the Concept of 'Free and Prior Informed Consent' Effective as a Legal and Governance Tool to Ensure Equity among Indigenous Peoples? A Case Study on the Experience of the Tagbanua on Free Prior Informed Consent, Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines, paper presented at the Eleventh Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property, Bali, Indonesia, 19-23 June 2006. Available at, retrieved August 13 2007 http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/archive/00001965/00/Mayo_ Anda_Grizelda_Cagatulla_La_Vina.pdf

Mencio Molintas, Jose, The Philippine Indigenous Peoples' Struggle for Land and Life: Challenging Legal Texts, Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law, Vol. 21, No. 1, 2004, pp. 269-305. Available at retrieved August 13 2007 www.law.arizona.edu/Journals/AJICL/AJICL2004/Vol211/Molintas.pdf</ p>

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, retrieved August 13 2007 www.ncip.gov.ph/indexmain.php

Philippines: Discrimination against Indigenous People, Asian Human Rights Commission, 13 June 2003, retrieved August 13 2007 www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2003/4622

Philippines: Indigenous Peoples and the Convention on Biological Diversity, World rainforest Movement, Bulletin Nº 62, September 2002, retrieved August 13 2007 www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/62/Philippines.html

Philippines Indigenous Peoples Links, retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.piplinks.org/

Razon, Felix, The oppression of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, 1976.

The indigenous people of Mindanao, retrieved August 13 2007 www.philippines.hvu.nl/mindanao2.htm

"We Will Not Be a Party to Our Own Death": Philippine Dam Draws Fire from Indigenous People, 16 July 1999, retrieved August 13 2007 www.irn.org/programs/sanroque/wrr.html

Chinese

Ang See, Teresita, 'The Ethnic Chinese as Filipinos', in Leo Suryadinata (ed), Ethnic Chinese as Southeast Asians, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1997.

Carino, Theresa Chong, Chinese in the Philippines, Chinese Studies Program, De la Salle University, 1985.

Carino, Theresa Chong, 'State ideology, policies and ethnic identity: The case of the Chinese in the Philippines', in Teresita Ang, Juan Go (Eds), The ethnic Chinese: proceedings of the international conference on Changing Identities and Relations in Southeast Asia, Philippine-China Development Resource Center, 1994.

Cheong, Caroline, The Chinese-Cantonese family in Manila: A study in culture and education, Centro Escolar University, Research and Development Center, 1983.

Chinese in the Philippines, Encyclopedia of Diasporas, Springer, 2005, pp. 760-769.

Chinese Filipinos, Ateneo de Manila Chinese Studies Program, 2003.

Chua, Dorothy Ang, From Chinese to Filipino: Changing identities of the Chinese in the Philippines, University of British Columbia, 2004.

Lim, Cherry, Filipino-Chinese or Chinese-Filipino?, Sun Star Cebu, 31 January 2001, retrieved August 13 2007 www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2003/01/31/news/ filipino.chinese.or.chinese.filipino..html

See, Chinben, 'The Ethnic Chinese in the Philippines', in Leo Suryadinata (ed), Ethnic Chinese in the ASEAN States: Bibliographical Essays, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1989.

Tan, Susan Villanueva, The education of Chinese in the Philippines and Koreans in Japan, University of Hong Kong, 1993.

The Chinese in the Philippines: Power and Prejudice - Globalizing Hate, Amnesty USA Magazine, Summer 2003. Available at retrieved August 13 2007 www.amnestyusa.org/magazine/hate.html

Tsinoy.com: The Global Village of Chinese and Filipinos retrieved August 13 2007 http://www.tsinoy.com/

Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest, retrieved August 13 2007 www.kaisa.ph/tulay

Wong, Kwok-Chu, The Chinese in the Philippine economy: 1898-1941, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1999.