On tonight’s show, contributor R.J. Lozada continues his reporting from his trip to the Philippines last summer. R.J. starts deep in the mountains of Mindanao, the southern region, as part of a series of international solidarity missions coordinated for the International Coalition for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (ICHRPP). R.J. sits and listens to various testimonials from villagers who have had difficulties being caught in a crossfire between Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (Paramilitary groups), and the New Peoples Army.

Dance at Sitio Blasan from Roldan Lozada on Vimeo.

On a bus driving up and through the Mountain Provinces in the Philippines (photo by R. Lozada)

R.J. also takes us as far north to the remarkably cool climate of Sagada, and Baguio. There, R.J. learns of some of the significant drawbacks of purportedly alternative energy industries by speaking with an organizer from the Cordillera Peoples Alliance. In Sagada, R.J. integrates with a local community radio station, Radyo Sagada, to get an understanding of some the indigenous peoples (IP) struggles with maintaining a peace zone.

Terraces run throughout the Mountain Provinces (photo by R. Lozada)

All that, and so much more on this remarkable and short trip–including updates regarding the Pacific Pivot, the Philippine Peace talks with the National Democratic Front.

Part travel diary, part reportage, all Filipino diaspora. Tune in!

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