4 July 2024

...Thirteen civil society leaders from Palawan and Manila will be visiting the indigenous peoples of Marihangin and Bugsuk islands to boost their morale and prevent violence from erupting between 130 families of mostly seaweed farmers of Molbog indegenous peoples’ descent residing in Sitio Marihangin and the armed guards and goons of corporate giant San Miguel Corporation.

On June 29, the Corporation, using its newly set up subsidiary Bricktree Properties, sent 16 fully armed masked men, fired shots which nearly hit two kids, and invaded the island. ...

San Miguel Corporation plans a 25,000 hectare white beach tourism. ...

The Corporation started to harass the residents of Marihangin island since October 2022, deploying a lawyer and former army generals and colonels to convince the residents to leave the place. ... Their current Molbog and community leader, Jomly Callon, who has received death threat, is leading a fierce, determined non-violent resistance. The majority stayed and are determined to fight it out, non-violently. New women and young leaders have risen to the occasion.

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