Statement of Solidarity to Cordillera People's Alliance

​Bantay Kita strongly denounces all forms of human rights violations. In solidarity, we stand with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) and its network in asserting their rights and opposing any form of discrimination.
 
It is distressing to note that the CPA and its network have been targets of harassment over the past months. The Cordillera Peoples Alliance is committed to the promotion and defense of indigenous peoples’ rights, human rights, social justice, and national freedom and democracy.
CPA Chair Windel Bolinget, Vice Chair Xavier Akien and a staff of the Center for Development Programs were harassed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) while on their way home to Baguio after a community meeting with a local partner organization in Quirino, Ilocos Sur - Save Quirino Movement (SQM).
 
Five women activists from legitimate organizations from the Cordillera were charged with trumped up cases, while another woman activist is consistently maligned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command.
 
The PNP also raided the home of farmer-pastor Eugine Antonio in Abra province, and seized documents belonging to Mudiit Peoples Organization, a local people’s organization, where Antonio is an officer. Prior to this, Antonio had been receiving death threats after distributing calamity funds he received from the Baclaran Church.
 
We urgently appeal to the public to condemn the harassment by State security forces that have sworn to protect the rights of the people.
 
Bantay Kita along with Cordillera People Alliance seeks justice for the violations committed by the PNP and AFP. We demand that the Government promote and uphold the fundamental freedoms of individuals and groups.