| Abstrakt: |
The Kankanaey and Ibaloy Peoples of Itogon, Philippines have been engaged in a long-standing battle against the destructive gold mining operations of the Benguet Corporation. These mining activities have caused significant harm to the environment and have displaced Indigenous Peoples from their ancestral land. The Indigenous communities have formed alliances and protested against the mining operations, leading to a temporary suspension in 1998. However, they continue to fight for their rights and demand compensation, land restitution, and rehabilitation of the region. The Benguet Corporation has been found guilty of violating international human rights law. The text highlights the environmental and social consequences of the mining activities, including sinkholes, landslides, and river pollution. Although the closure of mines in 2017 was a step towards addressing the environmental violations, local communities still rely on small-scale farming for their livelihoods. The text emphasizes the importance of accountability, the return of land to Indigenous Peoples, and the recognition of their ancestral land rights. [Extracted from the article] |
