ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ (๐๐)ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฐ๐๐งย ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย August 6, Feast of the Transfiguration
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
This issue was brought to our attention during our recent plenary assembly by the two bishops of PalawanโBishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa and Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay. Recognizing that this concern is not only local to Palawan but a common experience among our indigenous peoples (IP) communities throughout the country, the assembly resolved to issue this statement nationally, rather than as a local pastoral letter for Palawan alone.
As we look back on the 127th anniversary of our national independence celebrated last June, we are reminded of the enduring wounds of historical injustices, particularly the disturbing land dispossession suffered by our indigenous peoples. The Church acknowledges its past complicity and seeks to redress these wrongs, guided by the call to โpursue justice, and only justiceโฆ that you may live and inherit the landโ (Dt. 16:20).
Godโs Design for Justice and Equitable Distribution of the Land
As revealed in scripture, God has a deep concern for justice, especially for the vulnerable and the marginalized. In the Book of Leviticus, we find the institution of the Jubilee Year, which is a concrete expression of His design for social justice and the equitable distribution of land (Lev. 25). This Jubilee was to be proclaimed every fifty years, conveying the message of liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants, in which everyone would be given the opportunity to return to their property and family (Lev. 25:10). As the Lord reminded them: โthe land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; with me, you are but aliens and tenantsโ (Lev. 25:23), a stark reminder that God is the ultimate owner of all creation, and human beings are only His stewards.
The Plight of the Molbog and Cagayanens in Bugsuk Island
It is in this context that we express our deep concern for the plight of the Molbog and Cagayanen indigenous communities of Bugsuk Island in the Municipality of Balabac, Palawan. These communities have endured displacement and harassment, particularly during the Martial Law era that continues to linger until today, when their ancestral lands were unjustly seized. While it may be a daunting task, they continue to hold onto the hope and dream of one day returning to their ancestral home under the โBalik Bugsuk!โ movement. In the spirit of synodality of walking together, we share their hopes and dreams.
Maria Hangin: A Threatened Island
Of related issue is the indigenous community of Maria Hangin, a separate adjacent island but part of Bugsuk as a barangay, who resisted eviction in the 1970s, thus enjoying living in relative peace for some years. Composed of Molbogs, who are Muslims, and Cagayanens, who are mostly Christians, they lived side by side with each other in harmony and peace. However, their experience of relative peace was disrupted when, on June 27, 2024, news spread about plans to demolish their homes for an eco-luxury tourism project. This was followed by harassment, including the presence of armed groups and intimidating lawsuits, which led to the disruption of their livelihoods.
These communities tried to secure their ancestral lands through legal means. For instance, in 2005, they filed a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), but their application remains pending even until now. They experienced a glimmer of hope when, in June 2014, Notices of Coverage (NOCs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) were issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); but the euphoria was short-lived when they were recalled in May 2023 based on a field report deeming the soil unsuitable for agriculture.
The Churchโs Social Teaching: A Foundation for Action
The present predicament that the indigenous peoples experience confirms the need โto be constantly reminded of the principles of justice, especially that of the universal destination of goods.โ (cf. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Towards a Better Distribution of Land: The Challenge of Agrarian Reform # 28, 23 Nov 1997). We should always bear in mind that the goods of the earth, including land and its resources, are meant for the benefit of all, not just a select few.
It is in this light that the Church, also following the spirit of the Jubilee year, has consistently worked for justice and the dignity of every human person, including issues of land, aligning with her โpreferential option for the poorโ (PCP II).
In fact, the church has, for many years, taught that indigenous peoples โare by no means to be deprived of their liberty or the possession of their property, even though they be outside the Christian faith; and that they may and should, freely and legitimately, enjoy their liberty and possession of their property; nor should they be in any way enslaved; should the contrary happen, it shall be null and have no effectโ (Pope Paul III, Sublimis Deus, 1537).
Our Urgent Appeal
As spiritual leaders, we are compelled by the Gospel and the Churchโs social teaching to make an urgent appeal:
To whoever is responsible for the presence of armed groups in Maria Hangin: We humbly but strongly request the immediate withdrawal of these groups from the island. Their presence instills fear and disrupts the livelihoods of the residents, preventing them from living normal, peaceful lives.
To government agencies concerned: We urge the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in close coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), to revisit and carefully review the Notices of Coverage (NOCs) issued in 2014, ensuring that any lands not clearly falling within ancestral domain claims may still be distributed to qualified beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). At the same time, we appeal to the NCIP for the immediate and expedited resolution of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) application filed in 2005, so that the ancestral rights of the indigenous communities of Maria Hangin Island may be finally recognized and upheld. We believe that the timely issuance of the CADT, coupled with appropriate action by DAR on other lands, will bring legal clarity, provide security and peace for the residents, and uphold the dignity of both agrarian and ancestral domain beneficiaries.
We can only recall with much affection and respect the wisdom of the late Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, who once said: โThose who have less in life should have more in law,โ reminding the government to prioritize the needs of the poor and marginalized by providing them with greater legal protection and opportunities.
To all people of goodwill: We call upon you to continue to work hand in hand to ensure that our indigenous brothers and sisters throughout the country will be free to live on their ancestral lands, in dignity and peace. The Churchโs social doctrine, with its commitment to peace and justice, and care for our common home, must be widely shared so that missionary disciples can influence the construction of a more just and compassionate world (cf. John Paul II, Address to the Participants in the Plenary Assembly and the First World Congress Promoted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, General Audience, 29 Oct 2004).
By working together, guided by the principles of justice, charity, and solidarity, we can help correct historical injustices and ensure the well-being of these vulnerable communities. Let us remember that โwhen justice is done, it brings joy to the righteousโ (Prov. 21:15). May our actions reflect the love of Christ, who came to preach good news to the poor and to set the captives free.
Sincerely in the Lord,
+ PABLO VIRGILIO S. CARDINAL DAVID
Bishop of Kalookan
President, Catholic Bishopsโ Conference of the Philippines