Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP)

National alliance of indigenous peoples, Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP), decries the arrest and continued detention of Ernesto “Bolet” Bubod, a Kalanguya-Igorot, and resident of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija.

Bubod was taken by force by five armed men in plainclothes, who identified themselves as employees of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC.) They were later identified as Private First Class (PFC) Marvin Galsim, PFC Michael M. Labarda and three others all from the Charlie Company of the 81st Infantry Battalion Philippine Army.

The EDC is stakeholder on Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project, together with California Energy (CalEnergy) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA.) Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project and the privatization of the Pantabangan dam are part of the Public-Private Partnership program.

This is the second illegal arrest of an indigenous person in Aquino’s administration. Eddie Cruz, a Dumagat from Montalban, Rizal, is the first victim of illegal arrest in the Aquino administration, according to KAMP.

“Legal harassment of indigenous peoples is almost always related to land issues, and it is true for Eddie Cruz and Ernesto Bubod. Their struggle against and-grabbing of their ancestral territories is responded to by trumped-up charges,” Piya Macliing Malayao, KAMP spokesperson said.

Bubod was first charged by arson. When this was unproven, he was charged with possession of firearms and ammunition. He remains incarcerated at Pantabangan Jail.

“Bubod was staunch in opposing displacement because of the power plant project. He is most vocal on this issue, and refused to leave his land. His arrest is blatant political persecution,” Malayao claimed.

The 81st IBPA of the 702nd Infantry Brigade operates in the area , says KAMP. Together with the NIA and the EDC, these military personnel were instrumental in the forcing out of 35 households in Sitio Maluyon, Pantabangan to clear the area for the power project. “Clearly, the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights is last on Aquino’s mind. The Casecnan project has State forces for guards and goons, it is indicative of the government’s priorities,” Malayao claimed.

The group demands the immediate release of Bubod. “Bolet Bubod epitomizes the simple peasant and Igorot. He protects his land as it is life. It is an unspeakable injustice that he remains incarcerated. He must be released immediately.” ##