On the occasion of the 39th EDSA People Power anniversary, we join the nation in remembering the historical toppling of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. We pay our highest respects to our heroes and martyrs in the struggle, and we reaffirm our commitment to carry on the fight.
Now that Marcos Jr. is in power, the Cordillera peoples are experiencing a modern retelling of Marcos Sr.’s atrocities against national minorities. The development aggression of the 70s and 80s, such as the Chico Dams and the Cellophil logging operations, is comparable to the surge of renewable energy and large-scale mining projects imposed by Marcos Jr. since he became president. He echoes his father’s lies about pursuing development for the country, only to contradict this by implementing neoliberal policies that make the Philippines an attractive market for investments and resource exploitation. This means more dams, more wind farms, and more large-scale mining—all in the name of so-called “development.” In his distorted view of progress, he ignores the demands of the communities most affected by his decisions and projects.
It is alarming how quickly renewable energy (RE) and large-scale mining (LSM) projects are being processed today. A review of Marcos Jr.’s policies in recent years reveals that this was planned to be exactly the case. His administration is even using taxpayers’ money to cover financial deficits in large-scale mining operations, as evidenced by the Maharlika Investment Corporation’s $74.6 million investment in Makilala Mining’s project in Kalinga. In other words, he is using the people’s money for profit and plunder. It is also important to note that under his leadership, four incidents of indiscriminate aerial bombings in the Cordillera have already been recorded, alongside numerous violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), prominent cases of red-tagging, terrorist-tagging, trumped-up charges, abduction, and enforced disappearance.
We are only nearing the halfway mark of his term. At this rate, we can expect the worst.
The Cordillera peoples are left with no recourse but to assert their rights, defend their ancestral domain, and persist in their struggle for self-determination—just as they did during the EDSA revolution.
Now, the 2025 midterm election presents a perfect opportunity to defy the currently divided Marcos-Duterte government. We have a choice beyond these two corrupt families, beyond all political dynasties that hoard power for their own interests, and beyond electoral campaigns fueled by pork barrel funds and ill-gotten wealth. We have a choice to end political dynasties and elect leaders who genuinely embody the people’s interests, and if all else fails, we have a choice to once again uphold the parliament of the streets.
Join us as we take a stand. See you at the 41st Peoples’ Cordillera Day this coming April 24-26.
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