The Real Tresppasers: Landgrabbing in the name of Palm Oil in Southern Philippines

Last May 6 to 10, an International Fact-Finding Mission (IFFM) was held in Tingalan and Bagocboc to investigate complaints of landgrabbing received from a local indigenous peoples group. The IFFM was organised by Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas or Peasant Movement of the Philippines (KMP), Asian Peasant Coalition (APC), and the Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization, among other organisations.

The IFFM was able to uncover incidents of harassment and violence against the Lumads (indigenous peoples of Mindanao) who refuse to give up their lands, as well as adverse health and environmental effects that are beginning to manifest due to the palm oil plantation’s use of pesticides. These effects are seen only to worsen with time, as corporate monocropping replaces indigenous and traditional farming practices at a rate as fast as the palm oil industry grows.

To read more on the findings of the IFFM, please download the full document here or from the link below.

This publication of PAN AP aims to provide in-depth stories from communities asserting their food sovereignty. It is a tool for marginalised communities to speak out on issues that affect their lives and livelihoods. It hopes to raise awareness and seek solidarity actions from the readers. If you have comments or have taken solidarity actions as a result of this publication, please share them with us at panap@panap.net.