Discussions on Plight of PH Indigenous People Held in New York

Leaders and representatives of indigenous people from Mindanao were joined by officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate and members of the Filipino-American community during the Focus group discussion held at the Philippine Center on 02 July 2019. (New York PCG photo)

NEW YORK 30 July 2019 — Leaders and representatives of various indigenous peoples (IP) from Mindanao held discussions with the theme "Breaking the Silence: Telling the Truth.  The Narrative of Struggle, Deception and Assertion of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines" during their visit in New York recently, detailing their plight in the hands of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

The CPP-NPA-NDF is committing human rights violations against members of the indigenous people, according to the IP groups with the Filipino-American community representatives in Queens last 29 June 2019.

The group likewise held a media briefing followed by a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) facilitated by Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal at the Philippine Center on 02 July 2019.  The events were attended by members of the media and leaders and members of the Filipino-American community in New York. 

The IP leaders detailed the abuses and atrocities committed against them individually and creatively by the CPP-NPA-NDF and their cohorts. They appealed to the community not to support groups that are contributing to these attacks against the katutubo or lumad.

On 03 July 2019, the group held a FGD with students, faculty and community members at Fordham University where the tribal leaders rallied them to help disseminate their stories in the US especially among their fellow students and the youth sector.

After each event, the IP group thanked their audience through a cultural performance showing their traditional songs and dances.

The tribal leaders are making their way across the United States to call on the international community and share the true narrative of their plight back home. END

Indigenous people  leaders during their Press Briefing on 02 July 2019 at the Philippine Center. (New York PCG photo)

Indigenous people Leaders had a Focus Group Discussion with students and Filipino-American community members at Fordham University on 03 July 2019. (New York PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.