The declaration was addressed to the local governments, national government agencies, non-government organizations, international groups, agencies, and donors; the United Nations, the Bangsamoro and other non-lumad peoples, the private sector and other groups.

"That we lumad peoples -- forest peoples, who live in Mindanao; have agreed in unity to strengthen our rights and position for the protection of our forest and environment for the sake of the tribe, the descendants and the generations to come," said the two-page declaration written in Cebuano, a copy of its final and signed version furnished to MindaNews on September 10.

The forum was held aimed at forging the forest tribes' development agenda, millennium vision of the Mindanao Forest peoples, and a sharing of experiences, knowledge, and ways to assert their positions, and plans, according to Gliceto Dagondon, Green Mindanao executive director in his invitation letters.

The tribal leaders pointed out that they are always being harassed and bothered by programs, projects and plans that continue the destruction, exploitation, abuse, and plunder of "our environment, territory, culture and dignity as a people".

The tribal leaders cited in the declaration as examples the activities involving mining, logging, militarization, skirmishes, evacuation, and declaration of protected areas without the lumad's free and prior informed consent (FPIC).

They said the activities brought their people and communities with obstacles and problems. "That's why it has to be solved, addressed and stopped," the declaration states.

The tribal leaders asserted their right to self-determination and self governance in living in their ancestral domain as among their five major positions.

"We continue to manage, protect, and develop our ancestral domain, a big part of which is still covered with forest that make Mindanao island valuable and bountiful, they said in the statement, which they thumbmarked using blood of a ritual chicken as ink.

They have also pointed out their own customary laws that provide the system of their community.

"In these laws the tribes draw its life, dignity, and ancestry, which bring peace and order," it said.

They said through their customary laws they exercise their stewardship of the treasures of nature like natural springs, sacred places, forests, seas, rivers, water, lakes, falls, gold, air, caves and other natural resources which was protected by their ancestors and descendants up to now.

The tribal leaders warned they will continue to protect themselves and to stand for their rights, culture, laws, and territory against the activities and programs that ruin their environment and against those who block their progress and unity as a people.

The group cited the oneness of the forest in their ancestral domain to the life of their culture and history. "That's why it shouldn't be taken as separate," they said in the declaration.

The group has specified that the declaration is also addressed to agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Department of Agrarian Reform as well as religious groups.

The tribal leaders declared that the effort to assert the protection of their forest is aimed at strengthening recognition and respect of their rights, which is the basis of a sincere engagement and support to develop programs for sustainability of the forest and environment.

The leaders who signed came from the communities belonging to the Arumanen ne Manuvu, Banwaon, Bukidnon, Higaonon, Mamanua, Mandaya, Manobo, Mansaka, Matigsalug, Menuvu, and Talaandig tribes of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, and Surigao del Norte.

The forum was held at the Magis Training Center at the Manresa compound here on September 4 to 6. It was organized by the Green Mindanao Association with support from Friends of the Philippine Environment (FPE) and Samdhana Institute with the one million forest trees campaign. (Walter I. Balane / MindaNews)