The six bishops of the DIOPIM (Dipolog, Iligan, Ozamis, Pagadian, Ipil, Marawi) area during their regular meeting held in Pagdian City, support the case filed by the Subanen on racial discrimination to the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

July 30-August 18 of last year, during the 71st Session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial discrimination, the Subanens represented by two tribal chieftains, Timouy Jose “Boy” Anoy of Apu Manglang Glupa Pusaka and Timouy Fernando Mudai of Pigsalabukan Bansa Subanon, filed a case on racial discrimination against the Canadian Mining company TVIRD and a complaint against the Philippine Government.

When the 18 pages complaint filed by the Subanens was received and reviewed by the Committee, the Honorable Chairman Regis de Gouttes took immediate action. He sent a letter to the Philippine Government requesting to send a response and comments with regards to the human rights violations committed by the mining company TVIRD. The Philippine Government was given a deadline to submit its full report to the Committee not later than 31st of December of last year so it can be reviewed by the Committee on its 72nd session to be held in Geneva from 18 February to 7 March 2008. The Committee further reminds the Philippine Government that its fifteenth to nineteenth periodic reports are overdue since 1998 and strongly encourages the Philippine Government to submit its overdue reports, in a single document, by 30 June 2008. In case of non-receipt of the overdue report by 30 June 2008, concluding observations will be adopted in the absence of a report and in light of information received from other sources, including from non-governmental organizations, at its 73rd session, to be held from 28 July to 15 August 2008.

The DIOPIM Bishops for their part, as a show of support and solidarity with the Subanen People, wrote a letter addressed to the UNCERD affirming the racial discriminations committed by the mining company TVI and the Philippine Government. Racial discriminations committed by large-scale mining company does not only happen in Canatuan, Siocon but also to all parts of the country where large-mining companies operate. The letter of the UNCERD should be taken seriously by the Philippine Government.