On 11 October 2011, six leading members of Linundigan, an indigenous peoples organisation operating in the province of Agusan del Sur, went into hiding as they were facing imminent risks of being targeted by paramilitary forces. The organisation's Director and his nephew were killed in an attack by a paramilitary group on 30 June 2011. Linundigan is an organisation that works to promote the rights of indigenous peoples, self-determination and indigenous culture, through education, event organising, networking and lobbying. It operates in the villages of Sinakongan, Agsabo, Kinamaybay, Bakingking, Maasin and San jose, which are located in the municipality of Esperanza in the province of Agusan del Sur.

The human rights defenders' decision to go into hiding derives from the attack and killing of Mr Arpe Belayong, Linundigan Director and his nephew, Mr Solte San-ogan, perpetrated on 30 June 2011 by Salakawan, a paramilitary group operating in the area. Mr Belayong's children, Michelle Belayong (aged 14) and Adeb Belayong (aged 4) were also injured in the attack. The paramilitary still remains within the community and has created fear among the community members. Ms Maysee Belayong, the widow of Arpe Belayong, and her children have found assistance and sanctuary in the low land. The two children are being treated for their bullet wounds.

The six leading members of Linundigan now fear for their own safety. In the last week of August 2011, about 23 individuals from the area, including the human rights defenders' families, had already gone into hiding for the same reason.

Front Line believes that the attacks, threats and harassment against Linundigan members and their families by the Salakawan paramilitary group are related to their legitimate work in the defence of community and ancestral land rights, and their opposition to government-supported logging and mining operations in the area.

Front Line is also concerned that Linundigan has been targeted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other paramilitary groups. In 2003, the military operation by the AFP and Salakawan forced around 60 families to evacuate. In 2009, Mr Datu Mampaagi Belavong, an elder member of the community and the Founding Chairman of Linundigan was murdered by the Task Force Gantangan, another paramilitary group operating in the area.

Front Line urges the authorities in the Philippines to:

   1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the recent threats and harassment against members of Linundigan and their families, as well as into the killings of Linundigan's Director and Founding Chairman, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
   2. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of all Linundigan members and their family members;
   3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in the Philippines, especially indigenous peoples' rights defenders, are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.