The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has urged the national government to protect the rights of the ‘Bugsuk’ indigenous peoples (IP) community threatened by eviction due to a commercial tourism project in Palawan.
In a statement released Friday, the country’s largest network of Catholic schools called on authorities to halt the potential displacement of ethnic groups and fisherfolk in a remote Palawan islet, urging the government and private developers to respect their ancestral land and fishing rights.
The CEAP expressed alarm over reported eviction threats and rising tension in Sitio Marihangin, a coastal village in Balabac, southern Palawan, reportedly linked to a luxury eco-tourism project backed by San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Jesuit priest and CEAP president Fr. Karel San Juan called on the government “to act swiftly to protect the rights of the people of Bugsuk, uphold the rule of law, and prevent further harm.” The Bugsuks belong to a larger Manobo-based linguistic group and are known to be an agrarian tribe.
“Development must be inclusive, ethical, and respectful of human dignity and rights,” San Juan added in a report published by CBCP News. The situation escalated recently when dozens of armed security personnel were reportedly deployed to the area, intensifying fear among local communities.
The CEAP condemned what it described as a “militarized presence,” warning that it undermines peaceful efforts to assert land and livelihood claims. The group also appealed to SMC and its partners to discuss the situation.
“Listen to the people’s voices, respect their ancestral and fishing rights, and engage in genuine dialogue instead of force,” it said.
Residents of Sitio Marihangin have claimed the land as part of their ancestral domain and opposed moves that would cut off access to their fishing grounds and farming areas.
In December 2024, the SMC defended its acquisition of the properties estimated at 7,000 hectares in the Bugsuk Island, which the Department of Agrarian Reform reportedly upheld in separate orders in 2023. It noted it is open to engaging in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders.
The CEAP encouraged Catholic educators, students, and institutions to support the local communities through awareness efforts, prayer, and acts of solidarity.
“Let us be inspired by the witness of our sisters and brothers in Marihangin and those walking the Jubilee path. Let us accompany them in prayer, education, awareness, and concrete acts of solidarity,” San Juan said.