Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas vehemently condemns the brutal killing of Marife Gayadan, an Iraya-Mangyan, by the military. We also denounce the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
On December 18, 2024, at around 7:45 AM, Marife Gayadan, an Indigenous Mangyan-Iraya, was killed in a reported encounter between the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (4IBPA) and the New People's Army (NPA) in Sitio Tinis-an, Barangay San Vicente, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. Pepe Gayadan, the father of the deceased from Paluan, Occidental Mindoro identified her. According to CARHRIHL, the military must respect the rights and dignity of all individuals, including those in militarized areas. However, the military’s actions have blatantly disregarded these principles.
Marife Gayadan was a revolutionary fighter, and her decision to take up arms reflects the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines. Exploitation, displacement from ancestral lands, and the denial of basic rights compel many, like Marife, to resist and seek justice through armed struggle. This highlights the broader struggle of Indigenous communities to defend their rights amidst relentless militarization and oppression.
The 4th IBPA’s refusal to tender Marife Gayadan's remains to her family for nearly four days after the encounter is a clear violation of IHL. For Indigenous Peoples, the refusal to return the remains of the dead, whether they are combatants or not, is an affront and an injustice. It violates cultural practices of giving the deceased a proper burial according to customs and traditions. The military's demand for additional documents and the harassment of the humanitarian mission team further exacerbate this violation. Such actions demonstrate a lack of respect for the deceased and their families, and ways of life, a fundamental principle of IHL.
Moreover, the AFP’s physical aggression and harassment against unarmed civilians and humanitarian workers constitute a war crime under IHL. Reports indicate that soldiers guarding the funeral home where Marife's remains were held aggressively prevented the team from entering, resulting in injuries to some members.
The continued militarization of Indigenous Peoples’ communities and the harassment of civilians are ongoing violations of human rights. The presence of military forces has led to threats, food blockades, and encampments in populated areas, causing fear and disruption in the daily lives of community members, among other human rights and IHL violations. These actions not only violate IHL but also undermine the Indigenous Peoples' right to live peacefully on their ancestral lands.
Katribu calls on the local government and international human rights organizations to take immediate action. We demand a thorough investigation into the killing of Marife Gayadan and the subsequent violations committed by the AFP. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and justice must be served for Marife and her family.
We also urge the government and state security forces to respect and uphold the rights of the Indigenous Peoples under national and international laws. The militarization of Indigenous communities must end, and the rights to ancestral lands and self-determination must be protected and upheld.
In solidarity with Marife Gayadan’s family and the entire Iraya-Mangyan community, we will continue to fight for justice and the protection of the rights of all Indigenous Peoples. ###
Reference:
Beverly Longid
KATRIBU National Convener
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