The National Democratic Front (NDF)-Mindoro expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Jerlyn Rose Doydora after she died from an illness triggered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s relentless bombing. Another young researcher, Chantal Anicoche, went missing after being separated from her group during the bombing. The bombardment took place in Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, on January 1.

Doydora is among those who expressed their intent to interview the indigenous people and farmers in Mindoro as well as the Red fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA). They sought to understand the masses’ concrete situation, the root causes of the armed conflict, and the genuine path towards peace. Doydora was a student of the Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila, while Anicoche was a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the US.

The bombing also killed three Mangyan-Iraya children and injured their mother. It destroyed the livelihood of the indigenous people and peasants in the community. The explosion killed livestock, including two cows and three pigs.

Intense militarization forced 188 families to evacuate and take shelter at Cabacao High School, and 15 families to temporarily stay with their nearby relatives.

Four AFP attack helicopters dropped a total of 12 bombs during the three-hour assault. The military then carried out indiscriminate strafing in the area. These blatantly violates international hum-anitarian law, which stipulates the highest protection for civilian lives and livelihood.

The NPA unit in the area actively defended itself amid the hundreds of AFP-deployed troopers. Two consecutive encounters killed two soldiers and wounded two others. The NPA unit maneuvered away without further losses.

Intense militarization

According to the NDF-Mindoro, the terrorism experienced by Abra de Ilog residents and indigenous people during the new year was only one of the countless human rights violations perpetrated by the AFP, PNP, and CAFGU in their communities over the years.

Around 10 and a half battalions of combined AFP, PNP, and CAFGU forces are currently deployed on the island. These include the 76th IB, 1st IB, 59th IB, and 5th Scout Ranger Battalion under the 203rd IBde and 2nd ID.

These units protect foreign and local comprador bourgeoisie who have been grabbing the Mangyan people’s ancestral lands for decades. Colluding with the compradors are the local government and agencies such as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The projects planned for construction in Abra de Ilog includes the $25 million natural gas power plant of American company Rise Capital Group Nash Oil, Gas, and Power Inc. Funded by the Asian Development Bank, Alternergy Holdings Corporation also plans to build a 40-megawatt wind farm covering 18,711 hectares in Barangay Wawa.

In Sitio Malatabako, Barangay San Vicente, Pieceland Corporation is forcibly evicting the Mangyan-Iraya from their community. The company plans to build a subdivision on the 36-hectare ancestral land.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, the Mangyan-Buhid community has long suffered from land grabbing. This area hosts quarrying and mining operations under the military- protected Tamaraw Reservation Expansion Project.

According to NDF-Mindoro, despite the state’s all-out terrorism, the people of Mindoro continue to fight courageously for their welfare and rights. Their struggle proves their enduring aspiration for social justice, freedom, and democracy.