Defend the Marihangin 10!

Spartacist Group Pilipinas stands with Partido Sosyalista, PAKISAMA, Ateneo para sa Bugsuk and other fighters for social justice in opposing attempts by billionaire Ramon S. Ang’s San Miguel Corp. conglomerate to seize Bugsuk Island from the indigenous Molbog, Palaw’an and Cagayanen communities and turn their ancestral domain into a resort complex for the bourgeoisie.

We condemn in the strongest terms the arrest on May 15 of the Marihangin 10, leaders of the mainly Molbog villagers in sitio Marihangin of Bugsuk, Palawan on charges of “grave coercion”. This stems from the June 2024 community defense against an intrusion by gun-toting private guards led by a former NCIP official who sought to intimidate residents to forfeit their lands and accept resettlement. Those charged can face up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine up to P100,000. Drop all the charges against the Marihangin 10!

Workers, the rural poor and all opponents of imperialism have an interest in defending the Marihangin 10 and the Balik Bugsuk Movement. This case is tied to the fight against the imperialists and their lackeys in the local bourgeoisie who terrorize and exploit the masses and take the wealth of the country away from the people. These capitalist plunderers are backed by the US-loyal Marcos government and political dynasties, so to defend ourselves means organizing the broadest support among the oppressed and downtrodden in class-struggle opposition to the bourgeoisie and their imperialist patrons.

We call on all the left tendencies, the unions, and the organizations of rural toilers and the poor to take up the banner of the Bugsuk land defenders. Every victory for the indigenous peoples of Bugsuk is a blow against our common oppressors. To help advance the Balik Bugsuk struggle:

• Reproduce or circulate this statement; pass motions in your union, parish or student council meetings addressed to Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Department of Justice, Ermita, Manila protesting the arrest of the Marihangin 10 and demanding that all charges be dropped immediately and that land claims of the Bugsuk community be recognized.
• Contribute to the Marihangin 10 defense fund! The Marihangin community needs your support to defray the cost of legal fees and bail of the arrested community leaders. Send to: PayPal: @pinaycollection / hello@pinaycollection.com Add Note: “Bugsuk”
• Join or initiate protests on the hearing date! Contact the Spartacist Group Pilipinas: sgpil@proton.me or Ateneo Para Sa Bugsuk: ateneoparasabugsuk@gmail.com to coordinate action.

Stop the SMC landgrab! Defend indigenous peoples’ rights to ancestral domain!

Hands off Bugsuk land defenders! Drop all the charges now!