Jordan Manda [Photo from Rappler.com]
The Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND), a national-democratic youth and students organization, condemned the recent ambush attempt on a indigenous leader in Zamboanga del Sur, who has been very vocal in his opposition to large-scale mining and logging within their domain.
Timuay Locencio Manda, indigenous chief from the Subanen tribe, was ambushed by unknown assailants last Tuesday, and in the process killing his 11-year old son Jordan, who was riding with his father in a motorcycle on the way to school.
Elmer Aresgado, spokeperson for the YND said that wherever there is opposition to mining, militarization is sure to come. "In a futile attempt to stifle the people's opposition against destructive mining, large mining companies with their cohorts from the government do every attempt -- intimidation, harassment and outright murder -- to ensure that their interests will not be hindered."
He further commented that contrary to propaganda peddled by the mining companies, extractive operations within the areas they are located have destroyed large tracts of land, displacing not only human inhabitants but wildlife as well, such as in areas of Zambales province in Central Luzon.
"His son Jordan unfortunately became the collateral damage in the struggle.", says YND-NCR leader JV Invierno. "The YND shall be one with the masses of people in the call for justice for the merciless murder of the innocent and the call to put an end to environmental plunder".
YND hails the continuing perseverance of Manda in his efforts to keep mining companies out of the Subanen domains as well as the struggle for the ancestral domain and self-determination of the Subanen people.
Since its re-establishment in 1998, YND has been in solidarity with all individuals and groups against unbridled and destructive mining activities.
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Timuay Locencio Manda, indigenous chief from the Subanen tribe, was ambushed by unknown assailants last Tuesday, and in the process killing his 11-year old son Jordan, who was riding with his father in a motorcycle on the way to school.
Elmer Aresgado, spokeperson for the YND said that wherever there is opposition to mining, militarization is sure to come. "In a futile attempt to stifle the people's opposition against destructive mining, large mining companies with their cohorts from the government do every attempt -- intimidation, harassment and outright murder -- to ensure that their interests will not be hindered."
He further commented that contrary to propaganda peddled by the mining companies, extractive operations within the areas they are located have destroyed large tracts of land, displacing not only human inhabitants but wildlife as well, such as in areas of Zambales province in Central Luzon.
"His son Jordan unfortunately became the collateral damage in the struggle.", says YND-NCR leader JV Invierno. "The YND shall be one with the masses of people in the call for justice for the merciless murder of the innocent and the call to put an end to environmental plunder".
YND hails the continuing perseverance of Manda in his efforts to keep mining companies out of the Subanen domains as well as the struggle for the ancestral domain and self-determination of the Subanen people.
Since its re-establishment in 1998, YND has been in solidarity with all individuals and groups against unbridled and destructive mining activities.
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