Mariahangin Island: A tale of indigenous land, power and resistance

Mariahangin Island: A tale of indigenous land, power and resistance

In the remote reaches of southern Palawan, a 38-hectare island paradise is at the center of a brewing social conflict. Once home to nearly 200 families of mostly Molbog and Cagayanen descent, Mariahangin island’s population is rapidly declining. Nearly half of its original inhabitants have left, lured by an offer of relocation to other parts of the province. The holdouts of less than 90 families continue to stake their rights and claim over the …