APIT TAKO

01/06/2026

TIGNAN: Nagsumite ngayong araw, Hunyo 1, ang Balatoc Indigenous Concerned Group ng petisyon at community resolution laban sa Makilala Mining Company sa National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Kalinga.

Matapos ang isinagawang eksplorasyon ng Makilala Mining Company noong nakaraang taon na pinahintulutan ng NCIP, nakatakda naman nitong simulan ang operasyon ngayong taon. Gayunman, mariing tinututulan ng komunidad ng Balatoc ang ipinagkaloob na Mining Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) at Certification Precondition na ipinagkaloob sa kumpanysa sa kadahilang may paglabag ito sa proseso ng Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

01/06/2026

Press Statement
June 1, 2026

On the Denial of the Petition Challenging the Terrorist Designation of Cordillera Peoples Alliance Leaders and the Constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) expresses its profound disappointment over the Decision dated April 30, 2026 of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court, Branch 78, denying the Petition for Certiorari filed by Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) Chairperson Windel Bolinget, founding member Sarah Alikes, Research Commission member Jennifer Taggaoa, and Regional Council member Stephen Tauli.

The petitioners, all respected advocates for indigenous peoples’ rights and self-determination, sought judicial review of their designation as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) in 2023. Their petition constituted the first—and, to our knowledge, remains the only—as-applied constitutional challenge to the ATC’s power to designate individuals and organizations as terrorists under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

In dismissing the petition, the RTC rigidly adhered to Calleja v. Executive Secretary, applying the doctrine of stare decisis et non quieta movere to a context fundamentally distinct from the instant as-applied challenge. With all due respect, the Court totally ignored the Supreme Court’s categorical pronouncement in Calleja v. Executive Secretary: that its resolution on the constitutional issues raised on a facial challenge is without prejudice to the determination of the same constitutional issues raised in an as-applied challenge once the law is implemented. Consequently, the Supreme Court explicitly preserved, rather than foreclosed, an effective judicial remedy for any violations arising from the law’s enforcement.

The Decision denies petitioners effective judicial review despite clear evidence of serious constitutional infringements. Crucially, it fails to reckon with the profound implications of terrorist designation, including the suppression of lawful advocacy, the curtailment of basic liberties, severe reputational damage, and the persistent specter of criminal liability.

Furthermore, the court placed undue reliance on the testimony of a solitary military witness, accepting allegations that were entirely unsubstantiated by independent, credible, or corroborative evidence.

At stake in this case is not merely the fate of four indigenous rights defenders. What is at stake is whether our constitutional order will tolerate a standing mechanism of repression—one cloaked in the language of counterterrorism but untethered from meaningful safeguards, due process, and judicial accountability.

Reference
Ephraim B. Cortez
NUPL President
09172092943

Julianne B. Agpalo
09178870776

Photo Credit: Northern Dispatch

16/05/2026

16/05/2026

APIT TAKO SA BALITA:

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘁𝘀

Farmers’ groups in the Cordillera region are opposing the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plan to import 6,000 metric tons of carrots, warning that the move could further depress already struggling local vegetable producers.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and its Cordillera chapter, Alyansa Dagiti Pesante iti Kordiliera (APIT TAKO), said vegetable farmers in Benguet are still reeling from low farm-gate prices and high production costs. In a statement, they stressed: “The planned importation comes at a time when gardeners and small vegetable producers are already struggling with collapsing farm-gate prices, rising production costs, and lacking government support amid the fuel crisis.” APIT TAKO added, “Sa totoo lang, hirap na hirap nang makabawi ang mga hardinero…”

The groups also criticized the continued reliance on importation as a response to price issues, arguing it does not resolve the income losses of farmers or stabilize retail prices for consumers. “Paulit-ulit na lang ang solusyon ng DA na mag-import kapag may problema sa presyo,” KMP said, adding that the approach fails to address deeper structural problems in the agriculture sector.

On the government side, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the importation is meant to address tight supply and high retail prices in major markets, particularly Metro Manila and Cebu. He noted that around 1,000 metric tons were already brought in earlier to stabilize prices, with additional volumes expected in the coming months. Carrot prices in Metro Manila reportedly remain elevated despite earlier imports.

Farmers, however, pointed to steep drops in local buying prices in Benguet, with some vegetables selling far below production cost. They also criticized recent government visits to trading posts, calling them “a publicity stunt,” and warned that continued importation policies could worsen the situation for local growers already affected by high costs, smuggling concerns, and weak market support.

𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘁𝘀

Farmers’ groups in the Cordillera region are opposing the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plan to import 6,000 metric tons of carrots, warning that the move could further depress already struggling local vegetable producers.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and its Cordillera chapter, Alyansa Dagiti Pesante iti Kordiliera (APIT TAKO), said vegetable farmers in Benguet are still reeling from low farm-gate prices and high production costs. In a statement, they stressed: “The planned importation comes at a time when gardeners and small vegetable producers are already struggling with collapsing farm-gate prices, rising production costs, and lacking government support amid the fuel crisis.” APIT TAKO added, “Sa totoo lang, hirap na hirap nang makabawi ang mga hardinero…”

The groups also criticized the continued reliance on importation as a response to price issues, arguing it does not resolve the income losses of farmers or stabilize retail prices for consumers. “Paulit-ulit na lang ang solusyon ng DA na mag-import kapag may problema sa presyo,” KMP said, adding that the approach fails to address deeper structural problems in the agriculture sector.

On the government side, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the importation is meant to address tight supply and high retail prices in major markets, particularly Metro Manila and Cebu. He noted that around 1,000 metric tons were already brought in earlier to stabilize prices, with additional volumes expected in the coming months. Carrot prices in Metro Manila reportedly remain elevated despite earlier imports.

Farmers, however, pointed to steep drops in local buying prices in Benguet, with some vegetables selling far below production cost. They also criticized recent government visits to trading posts, calling them “a publicity stunt,” and warned that continued importation policies could worsen the situation for local growers already affected by high costs, smuggling concerns, and weak market support.

16/05/2026

APIT TAKO SA BALITA

Mula sa Inquirer.net

“Pakitang tao lang pala ang pagpunta nina Tiu Laurel at Marcos Jr. sa Benguet. Nakinig kunwari sa hinaing ng mga magsasaka pero pagdating sa solusyon, importasyon pa rin ang pinili nila,” APIT TAKO said.

Composite image from INQUIRER files, Anakbayan Metro Baguio/APIT TAKO Farmers’ groups in the Cordillera are opposing the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) planned importation of 6,000 metric

14/05/2026

𝗩𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. On the early evening of May 13, a prayer rally was held at the La Trinidad Trading Post to call on the government to stop vegetable smuggling and importation. Workers at the trading post and people from various sectors lighted and held candles as Rev. Fr. Victor Munar led the prayer vigil.

Vegetable smuggling and importation have always been problems for the local agricultural industry. Farmers are lamenting the lack of urgency of concerned agencies in finding solutions to these decades-old problems.

An issue raised during the prayer rally is the Department of Agriculture's plan to import thousands of tons of carrots. This will just cause further harm to many farmers in the Cordillera region, many of whom say they are still trying to recoup losses from previous harvests.

14/05/2026

SUPPORT FARMERS!

13/05/2026

ARREST BATO DELA ROSA!

Bato Dela Rosa has been served a warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his crimes against humanity. His allies within the Senate are hell-bent in protecting him from facing his charges at The Hague, and a ruckus of gunshots within the Senate building earlier this evening has sparked another frenzy that will perhaps further delay the arrest of Bato. This political circus is an insult to the ailing Filipino people who are bearing the brunt of an economic crisis. It is an insult to the peasants, national minorities, women, and other marginalized sectors who were killed, forcibly disappeared, imprisoned for trumped-up charges, denied due process, or arbitrarily designated as terrorists simply for standing up against an oppressive and repressive regime. It is an insult to all the victims of Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

We join the nation in calling for Bato’s immediate arrest. Enough of the drama and manipulations. These recent events from our so-called lawmakers only prove how quick and willing they are to protect their power and ranks, in contrast to how excruciatingly slow they respond to the urgent policy demands of the Filipino people. It exactly shows what a government ruled by landlords and bureaucrat capitalists look like. Imagine, a senator who did not show up for months suddenly appears and runs for his life to a Senate session, at the exact moment that an impeachment threat is advancing against his corrupt political master, Sara Duterte? It really happened, and despite its absurdity, it is a call to action for us to gather and take a stand, not only against Duterte and their allies, but also against the Marcos Jr. administration equally complicit in corruption and human rights violations.

Arrest Bato Dela Rosa, Impeach Sara Duterte! Join the mass actions!

Marcos Jr., Singilin! Sara, Panagutin! Bato, Arestuhin!

13/05/2026

Noong Setyembre 2025, nagpadala ng liham ang mga organisasyon ng magsasaka, manininda ng gulay, at mga tagasuporta upang tutulan ang planong importasyon ng mga gulay dahil maaapektuhan nito ang anihan mula Nobyembre hanggang Enero. Gayunman, nanatiling bingi, inutil, at nagbubulag-bulagan ang gobyerno nina Marcos at Duterte sa kanilang panawagan.

Habang nananatiling mataas ang presyo ng carrot sa Metro Manila na umaabot sa ₱80 hanggang ₱190 kada kilo, lugmok naman ang farmgate price sa Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center. Ang “Big” carrots ay nasa ₱50–₱60 lamang kada kilo at ang “Lumpia” carrots ay bumabagsak pa sa ₱10–₱25. Manipestasyon ito ng lantarang pananamantala kung saan hindi ang mamamayan ng Benguet ang nakikinabang, kundi ang mga imperyalistang dayuhan at ang mga kroni nito.

Nararapat lamang na buwagin ang importasyon ng gulay, itaas ang presyo ng lokal na ani, at ipaglaban ang kabuhayan at dignidad ng mga magsasaka at manggagawa sa La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post.

Lokal na produksyon, hindi importasyon! No to vegetable smuggling! Support our farmers!

13/05/2026

TIGNAN:

Kasama ang APIT TAKO sa naganap na Taripnong daguiti Mannalon ti Amianan: A Convergence of Farmers in Northern Luzon to Share Knowledge and Seeds of Wisdom noong Marso 2026, sa Baguio City. Sa naturang pagtitipon, nagbahagi ang iba't ibang organisasyon ng mga magsasaka sa Hilagang Luzon tungkol sa kanilang mga sitwasyon. Si Fernando Bagyan ng APIT TAKO ang nagbahagi hinggil sa kalagayan ng mga pesante sa Kordilyera. Maliban sa bahaginan ng sitwasyon, nagbigayan din ang mga organisasyon ng kanilang karanasan sa mga laban tungkol sa land rights, food and seed sovereignty at farmers rights.

Nagkakaisa ang mga magsasaka sa Hilagang Luzon sa panawagan na IPAGTANGGOL ANG LUPA, BUHAY AT KABUHAYAN!