Assessment for Igorots in the Philippines

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Philippines Facts
Area:     300,000 sq. km.
Capital:     Manila
Total Population:     77,726,000 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1998, est.)

Risk Assessment | Analytic Summary | References

Risk Assessment

The Cordilleras have five of the factors that increase the chances of future rebellion: a history of persistent
protest; territorial concentration; high levels of group organization; government repression; and the
unstable nature of the Philippine government in the past five years. Factors that could inhibit future rebellion
include the country's status as a new democracy coupled with the government's efforts to negotiate
settlements with insurgent groups. Another significant factor is how future economic development will be
pursued in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Addressing tribal concerns about protecting their lands,
culture, and livelihoods will be critical to help ensure peace.

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Analytic Summary

The terms Igorots and Cordilleras are used to collectively refer to a number of tribal groups including the
Bontoc, Ibaloy, Ifugao, Apayao/Isneg, Kalinga, and Tinggians. The Igorots reside in the mountainous north
and central Luzon areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The CAR covers 18,294 sq. km and
includes the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao.

Group members speak multiple languages while the country's official language is Filipino, a formal version of
Tagalog (LANG = 1). The social customs of the Igorots also differ from the majority Filipino community
(CUSTOM = 1). Although the Philippines has a significant minority Muslim population, most residents are
Catholics. The Cordilleras follow both traditional beliefs and Christianity.

While the Philippines was conquered by the Spanish in the mid-1500s, it was transferred to American
colonial rule in 1898 under the Treaty of Paris. Following Japanese occupation during the Second World War,
the territory became independent in 1946. Geographic isolation allowed the Igorots to maintain their culture
and lifeways with limited outside involvement until the mid-20th century.

Exploitation of the Cordillera Administrative Region's natural resources brought the tribals into conflict with
lowland Filipinos and the government. During the 1970s, encroachments by the logging industry coupled
with Manila's attempt to build a series of hydroelectric dams (the Chico dams) activated tribal opposition.
Along with engaging in protests, some group members joined the Communist Party of the Philippines'
military wing, the New People's Army (NPA), which was waging an anti-state rebellion (PROT70X = 2;
REB75X = 4). The autocratic government of Ferdinand Marcos further alienated the Igorots as
counterinsurgency campaigns against the NPA victimized the tribal population.
The 1986 People's Power Revolution led to the overthrow of the Marcos regime and the subsequent elections
brought Corazon Aquino to power. President Aquino offered to open negotiations with the country's various
rebelling groups. That same year, a faction of tribal NPA members, led by Conrado Balweg, broke away and
formed their own organization, the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA). The CPLA entered into talks
with the government, and on December 15, 1986, a peace agreement that included greater self-rule was
reached. The first step toward regional autonomy occurred the next year when the Cordillera Administrative
Region was established. Two agencies, the Cordillera Executive Board and the Cordillera Regional Assembly,
were charged with the task of preparing the region for autonomous rule.

Plebiscites were held in 1990 and in 1998 in the CAR to determine whether the residents supported the
creation of an autonomous region. However, this proposition was widely rejected by both the lowland
Filipinos and the highland tribals. In each referendum, only one province supported autonomy. President
Estrada terminated the two agencies mandated with helping to implement autonomous rule in 2000.
However, the Arroyo administration began incorporation of CPLA soldiers into the Philippine armed forces in
2001.

In recent years, the Igorots have faced significant natural disasters including typhoons, floods, and
landslides which have restricted agricultural production, the main economic activity of the tribals. In
addition, group members have migrated from rural to urban areas in search of opportunities to earn a
livelihood and the Cordilleras have been dispossessed from their ancestral land. The 1995 Mining Act
resulted in the displacement of some tribals while others lost their traditional livelihoods through the
promotion of mining and hydroelectric projects.

While public policies are in place to improve the group's political and economic status, the Igorots are
disadvantaged as a result of historical neglect and/or restrictions (POLDIS06 = 1; ECDIS06 = 1). The 1997
Indigenous Peoples' Right Act led to the creation of a National Commission on Indigenous People. The
commission can allocate ancestral lands on a communal basis. However, opposition from business interests
has led to limited implementation of the act.

Economic issues including obtaining a greater share of public funds and economic opportunities along with
protection of their land are central group concerns. Greater political rights and the promotion of the Igorots'
culture and lifeways are also significant factors.

During the past decade, competing conventional organizations and secondarily militant groups have
primarily represented Cordillera interests (GOJPA = 3). These include the CPLA and its political arm, the
Cordillera Bodong Administration and the Cordillera People's Alliance, the largest nongovernmental
organization in the region. An Igorot faction of the New People's Army is also active and it is alleged to be
responsible for the December 1999 execution of the CPLA's leader Conrado Balweg. The Igorot Global
Organization represents Cordillera interests transnationally.

There has been little political activism by group members in recent years (PROT04-06 = 0; REB05-06 = 0).
By the mid-1990s, the NPA's activities in the CAR were at a minimum. However, a clash between Philippine
armed forces and the NPA did occur in CAR in June 2002. More recently, the Philippine Army and the CPLA
clashed in July 2004, when the army intervened as the CPLA detained illegal loggers.

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References

The Europa Yearbook, Far East and Australasia 1993.

Hyndman, D. & L. Duhaylungsod, "Political Movements and Indigenous Peoples," Fourth World Bulletin,
December 1993.

Keesings Record of World Events, 1990-93.

Lexis-Nexis Library Information 1990-2006

Solmerin, Florante. October 1, 2004. “Stand united on autonomy, CBA asks Cordillera people” The Manila
Times.

Tauchmann, Kurt, "Political Integration and Divergence of Normative Traditions: An Example from the
Igorots/Philippines," Internationales Asienforum, Vol.15, No.1/2, p.89-98.

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Facts About the Igorots of the Philippines

The terms Igorots and Cordilleras are used to collectively refer to a number of tribal groups including the
Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Apayao/Isneg, Kalinga, and Kankana-eys. The Igorots reside in the mountainous
north and central Luzon areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The CAR covers 18,294 sq.
km and includes the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao.

The Igorot form two subgroups: the largest group lives in the south, central, and western areas, and is
very adept at rice-terrace farming; the other group lives in the east and north. The Igorots formerly
practiced headhunting.

The Igorots are an ethnic people of the Philippines, clustered in the Cordillera region of Luzon. It is true
that they are famous for rice-terrace farming but saying that some of them have been known to be
cannibals in the past is an exaggeration which only downgrades them.

"Igorot" is the modern term to describe the indigenous people of the Cordillera Mountains located in the
northern part of the Philippine island of Luzon. When first "discovered" by the Spaniards in the 16th
century, they were called "Ygolotes" - later to be re-spelled "Igorrotes." The Spaniards used other names
to describe Igorots based on where in the Cordilleras they were found.

As one can infer, Igorots are a highland race, and are well-adapted to life in raised altitudes. To assure
themselves a steady supply of crop, they have even devised a way to carved terraces at the sides of
mountain, which they plant with various grains. The Igorot people are categorized into six different ethno-
linguistic groups: Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Isneg (or Apayao), Kalinga, and Kankana-ey.

Bontoc. The Bontoc thrive on the bank of the Chico River. Famous as headhunters in the past, they have
since turned their backs from the practice of head hunting. At present, a huge majority of the Bontoc have
embraced Christianity. They have seamlessly transitioned into a peaceful, agricultural people.

Ibaloi. The Ibaloi too are an agrarian society. Mostly found in Southern Benguet, there are about 93,000
of them all over the Philippines. Their language is from the Austronesian family of languages.
Ifugao. The Ifugao, on the other hand, are known for their epics and their stories, such as the hudhud and
the alim. Like the Bontoc Igorots, Ifugao people were headhunters in the past. Ifugao people have a total
of four different dialects, and are sometimes called Amganad, Kiangan, or Mayoyao. The word Ifugao
means "from the hill."

Isneg or Apayao. The Isneg or Apayao can be found living near the banks of the Apayao River.
Originally slash-and-burn farmers, they have since begun to practice more sustainable forms of farming.
The Isneg are also known as good fishers, and have a penchant for coffee.
Kalinga. The Kalinga tribes are perhaps the most diplomatic of all the Igorot. They put great importance
on kinship and social ties, and are heralded for the peace pacts that have allowed their tribes to become
strong. They are also known as the most heavily adorned of all the Igorot people.
Kankana-ey. Finally, the Kankana-ey are one of the few tribes who still practice a way of living more
common in the old days, although is fast disappearing as well. In the Kankana-ey, young men and women
are divided by gender and then ushered into separate dormitories. Entry into a dormitory signifies a young
person's readiness to enter the stages of courtship. Courtships are carried out in the ebgan, or the "girl
house."

Although Igorots are "geographically" Filipino, there are numerous things that give them their own unique
identity, which has led to many debates on whether Igorots are Filipinos. Examples of their uniqueness
are:

Language: Igorots speak their own languages (Ibontok, Ibaloy, Kankanaey, Isneg, Kalinga, Tuwali, etc.)

 Government: Igorots of the Cordilleras have their own autonomous government made possible by
former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
 Food: Igorot food is considered indigenous with little influence from other countries.
 Clothing: Traditional clothing for men & women are clearly distinct and bears no Spanish
influence. Surprisingly, it bears a strong resemblance to that of American Indians.
 Culture & Colonization: Above all, Igorots were not conquered by Spain. For more than three
centuries, their ability to keep from being colonized by Spaniards allowed their culture to stay
preserved to this day. Spain's King Philip ("Philip"pines) was never able to force his name onto
them.
 Statement of Significance: Their rice terraces in the Cordillera Mountains, which are more than
2,000 years old, are evidence of their high level of knowledge of structural and hydraulic
engineering. The rice terraces are the only monuments in the Philippines that show no evidence
of having been influenced by any colonial cultures. For this reason, the rice terraces have been
included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
References:

http://www.wisegeek.com/who-are-the-igorot.htm

http://www.rexcrisanto.com/ik-cause/who-are-igorots

http://answers.encyclopedia.com/question/practices-igorot-people-known-90032.html

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,463af2212,469f2ec42,469f3ac2c,0.html

Photo Credits:  Google Images