E/CN.4/2003/90/Add.3 page 21 Bukidnon. Within the framework of the conflict between NPA and the Government, indigenous farmers suffer limits on the time allowed for tilling lands, food blockades, divestment of property, illegal arrests and detention, illegal searches, forced surrenders of civilians, bombings and strafing, along the area between Quezon and the neighbouring municipalities of Kitaotao. • Human Rights violations attributed to CAFGUs include serious threats and harassment of 18 families in barangays Sitio Calut and Santa Filomena, indiscriminate firing, destruction of property, forced evacuation, violent physical assault, illegal detention and use of civilians in military operations in San Fernando, Bukidnon, in February 2000. In January 2001 the armed forces of the Philippines and CAFGUs forced two villages to abandon their homes and farms, disrupted schooling and harassed those trying to provide education to indigenous communities, which led to further exacerbation of the living conditions of the already impoverished indigenous communities. CAFGUs are also said to forcibly recruit young indigenous people into their ranks.29 • The LUPACA-Bagani Warriors is a Lumad organization set up by the Philippine military in the Caraga region of Mindanao to fight the NPA rebels. It has been accused of committing human rights abuses against unarmed people in the indigenous communities. Among other things, it has staged fake NPA “surrenders” to impress public opinion. 49. The highest government authorities and the communities themselves assured the Special Rapporteur that indigenous peoples are essentially peaceful and not involved in any kind of subversive or insurgent activities. And yet, as described in the preceding paragraphs, indigenous peoples may stand accused of terrorism or rebellion. The Special Rapporteur received communications about indigenous people being accused of belonging to NPA and prosecuted for terrorist activity simply because of their involvement in legitimate social protest and the defence of their rights.30 50. In the Cordillera region, it was also reported that militarization has engendered human rights violations against women and children. Most of these abuses are cases of rape, sexual harassment, forcing girls to serve as “comfort women” in military camps, and compulsory prostitution. After the military leave the area, the victims are abandoned. This has caused fear, coercion, intimidation, and humiliation of indigenous communities. Also in Mindanao, various indigenous leaders complained about numerous cases of rape by members of the armed forces. Only a few of such abuses are reported, and even fewer are prosecuted and punished. 51. Human rights violations are also committed at times by members of rebel groups and private armies. For instance, in the indigenous community of Tineg, Abra, cases of forced evacuation of the populations are attributed to the political rivalry between different armed clans. Multiple cases of murder by local “warlords” have also been reported, such as the recent killing of an indigenous leader of the Benwaren clan, which caused high tension in the municipality and the entire province. In Mindanao, it is reported that an indigenous Datu (village chief), with the help of the military, runs a private army that recruits criminals and sows violence.