Bullet not for son of anti-mining tribal chief

MANILA, Philippines – On Tuesday, September 4, 2012, Jordan was on his way to school at Bubuan Elementary School in Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Like any other mornings, he was riding at the back of his father’s motorbike. It was 7:20 am, and in minutes, he would have reached the school, and attend his Grade 6 classes. But this was not like any other mornings.  

Their ride to school was violently stopped at Barangay Conacon. Jordan was shot at the back, the wound so fatal, it killed him then and there. His father survived the shooting with minor gunshot wounds.

(Read related story: Anti-mining indigenous leader ambushed)

Why would anyone want to harm, let alone kill, the 11-year old Jordan?

The bullet was not for him. It was meant for his father, Lucenio Manda, a Timuay, a Subanen leader and head claimant of Bayog Ancestral Domain in Zamboanga del Sur.

Timuay Manda is a strong defender of Subanen rights to their land and right to self-determination. He is also known to strongly oppose large-scale mining and logging within their domain. He has been very vocal in his criticism and questioning as to why mining has been allowed in Bayog without their free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), as provided for by the law.

There are currently 3 approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), 1 approved Exploration Permit, and 8 mining permit applications. Timuay Manda has been receiving death threats.

Could this be the reason behind the killing of Jordan? And the frustrated murder of Timuay Manda?

We do not know that yet. What we know are these: Jordan is the eldest of 3 boys of Timuay Manda. Young as he may be, Jordan is being groomed as the next Timuay of the community. He would be attending community meetings, and educational activities. Jordan had serious interest in his Subanen culture, and their people’s history.
 
As his father is busy with his responsibilities as Timuay, Jordan was the main help of his mother, Delma, in tending to their animals and rice farm, for food.

The killing of Jordan is such a big loss to the family, and to the community.

The killing of Jordan is a mindless, senseless act of violence.

And while the killers remain unknown, we know for a fact that they are sloppy targets, probably low-paid mercenaries. For how else can one explain the mindlessness of killing an 11-year old child?

While we call for an immediate, serious and thorough investigation of the murder, these we already know: Timuay Manda is feeling the loss of his son.

This loss, he says, is what strengthens his resolve to struggle on for the protection of their rights, and their ancestral domain. His son’s life has been sacrificed, he says. “I thirst for justice. I vow to continue my struggle in order not to make my son’s death in vain.”

Delma is inconsolable. She has been fainting for several times throughout the day. She understands the responsibilities and risks of marrying into a Timuay family, but she could not understand why his son had to suffer this fate so young.

Jordan will be laid to rest in peace on Monday, September 10, at 10 am. But there will never be rest for Timuay Manda, Delma and the Subanen people of Bayog until the killers are known and put to justice. And there will never be peace until the true reason for the killing is known, and the masterminds are exposed and be made accountable. Only then will Jordan’s death will be put to rest.

Note: The author is part of LILAK  or Purple Action for Indigenous Peoples women’s Rights. Bayog is host to several large-scale and small mining firms exploring or extracting gold and copper concentrates in areas that include mountains considered sacred by the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula. Timuay Manda is among the petitioners in the Writ of Kalikasan to protect the Pinukis Range Forest.

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