Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Diocese of Malaybalay, comprising 134 priests and consecrated persons, has issued a powerful pastoral statement in support of the Manobo-Pulangiyon Kianteg (MPK) community’s decades-long struggle to reclaim their ancestral domain. The declaration was the result of their 53rd Annual Assembly held on November 18-20, 2024, under the theme “What Do You Seek? Pastoral Pathways to a More Welcoming Church.”
Historical and Legal Context of the MPK Struggle
The MPK’s plight dates back to 1921, when tribal lands, totaling over 1,100 hectares in Barangays San Jose and Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon, were “borrowed” by Bukidnon’s first governor, Don Manolo Fortich. Promised for return after 30 years, the land was instead converted into a private cattle ranch. Further complicating the issue, the Kianteg Development Corporation (KDC) leased significant portions of this land from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) until 2018. Despite the lease’s expiration, the corporation has continued to occupy the area illegally, according to government findings.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) recognized the MPK’s rightful ownership of the land in 2021, issuing a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) and instructing KDC to vacate the property. However, KDC’s refusal to comply and reported intimidation tactics have exacerbated tensions, leaving many MPK families displaced and living in dire conditions.
A Call for Justice and Solidarity
The pastoral statement highlighted the injustices faced by the MPK community, including violence, red-tagging, and deprivation of basic needs. “It is our moral duty to defend the rights of indigenous peoples and join them in their struggle for agrarian justice,” said Bishop Noel P. Pedregosa, D.D. The statement also condemned the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s reported actions of blocking the MPK’s peaceful attempts to reclaim their land on October 21, 2024.
The Diocese commended NCIP’s earlier efforts to uphold the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) but expressed frustration over what they described as the agency’s recent abandonment of its commitments. “The NCIP’s sudden insistence on a Supreme Court order for the MPK’s repossession plan is deeply puzzling and counterproductive,” the statement read.
Renewed Commitment and Call for Action
The Diocese has pledged unwavering solidarity with the MPK community, emphasizing the Church’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized. “Neutrality in the face of injustice is not an option,” the statement affirmed. Concrete actions proposed include:
- Investigating alleged violent harassment by KDC’s private security forces.
- Reopening the probe into the 2022 shooting incident that injured several MPK members.
- Demanding accountability from KDC and its leadership for obstructing the implementation of IPRA.
The Diocese also called on the NCIP, PNP, and other government agencies to prioritize the immediate and peaceful installation of the MPK community into their ancestral domain.
Towards a Prophetic Church
Grounding their stance in scriptural and doctrinal principles, the Diocese of Malaybalay emphasized the Church’s mission to uphold justice and protect human dignity. Quoting Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’, the statement underscored the sacred connection between indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands, asserting that “separation from their land leads to cultural destruction and existential peril.”
Conclusion
As the Jubilee of Hope 2025 approaches, the Diocese reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive Church and society. “In the spirit of synodality, we journey with the MPK community towards justice, peace, and the fullness of life promised by Christ,” the statement concluded.
The Diocese’s strong pastoral call has sparked hopes for renewed dialogue and action, as the MPK community continues its courageous quest for justice and dignity.
