Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) has just concluded an international fact-finding mission in Mindanao, Philippines where PAN AP and its partners intervened in land conflict case that involved a palm oil plantation company, A Brown. Based on the IFFM findings, the land belongs to the indigenous people and it was grabbed by the company through intimidation and harassment. More so, the company is operating without an environmental permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the government agency tasked to oversee the utilisation of public lands and natural resources. Furthermore, the company established the plantation without due recognition of the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of the indigenous Higaonons living in the area. Thus, its operation is actually illegal. Our fear is that the national government would fast-track its permit to avoid embarrassment and of course to please the company.

In this regard, we would like to ask for your support to sign the online petition, widely circulate this to your network and help us pressure the national government as well as the company to return the land of the indigenous peoples.

Meanwhile, here is the link to the documentation of this case http://www.panap.net/sites/default/files/SO-2012June-TheRealTrespassers.pdf.

Here is the link to the online petition http://www.panap.net/en/fs/page/food-sovereignty/1130.

Thanks in advance for the help and support!

Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific
P.O. Box 1170, 10850 Penang
Malaysia
Tel: +604-6570271 or +604-6560381 | Fax: +604-6583960
E-mail: panap@panap.net
Website: www.panap.net

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Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is a global network working to eliminate the human and environmental harm caused by pesticides and to promote biodiversity based ecological agriculture. PAN Asia and the Pacific, one of PAN’s regional centres, is effectively advancing food sovereignty, gender justice and environmental sustainability. We are committed to support the struggles of rural women, agricultural workers, peasants, indigenous peoples and other small food producers.