Bondoc Peninsula

Bondoc Peninsula
Peninsula
Bondoc Peninsula seen from space with Marinduque presented on the left and Bicol on the right.
Location in the Philippines

The Bondoc Peninsula (commonly known as BonPen) is a narrow peninsula located in the southeastern part of Quezon Province in Calabarzon Region, southern part of Luzon, Philippines. The peninsula consists of 12 municipalities: Agdangan, Buenavista, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Pitogo, San Andres, San Francisco, San Narciso and Unisan, all in the 3rd Congressional District of Quezon and 325 total barangays. ^[1] The peninsula is known for featuring beautiful beaches and historic churches and for holding the Buenavista Protected Landscape archaeological site at the peak of the tallest peak of Mount Maclayao. The peninsula remained largely agricultural with copra as its produce. ^[2]

Those municipalities are mostly hilly and coastal areas. It has a unique festival named BonPen Festival featuring the beautiful sites of the district's twelve towns and promoting tourism in the area. The culture and arts of the peninsula is distinct compared with other districts in Quezon province. There has been a proposal to establish a province of Bondoc Peninsula, separating the 3rd congressional district of Quezon and forming it into a distinct province. ^[3]

Bondoc Peninsula

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Location of Bondoc Peninsula

Geography

The Bondoc Peninsula is a 182-kilometer long peninsula that consists of 12 municipalities and 325 barangays, ^[4] all located within the 3rd Congressional District of Quezon, including Alibijaban Island. It is bordered by water on three sides: to the east lies Ragay Gulf, to the south is the Sibuyan Sea, and to the west is Tayabas Bay. ^[5] The Peninsula mostly consists of remote forests, hills, and mountainous terrain, while the municipality of Catanauan is an urban area. The southernmost part of the peninsula is referred to as "Bondoc Pt.". The peninsula is elevated at 192 meters. The peninsula's highest peak is at Mount Maclayao with an elevation of 1,260 meters (4,130 feet).

The peninsula is home to the Limestone tombs of Kamhantik, an archaeological site in the municipality of Mulanay and at the peak of Mount Maclayao.

History

The Bondoc Peninsula is remaining largely agricultural, mainly producing copra.

From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, the peninsula was a battleground for the New People's Army. The N.P.A burnt houses, stole crops and killed farmers. ^[2] In early 2018, the NPA abducted six workers and ravaged a ranch. ^[6] Another case occurred at that same year when the N.P.A conducted an ambush on a military truck, injuring five soldiers and four civilians and causing a land-mine to explode. ^[7] Up to this day, the N.P.A continues to conduct attacks and ambushes on the Bondoc Peninsula.

13°26′12″N122°33′25″E / 13.4366667°N 122.5569444°E / 13.4366667; 122.5569444

Human rights violations

In 2012, according to activists, the peninsula immediately became the site of enforced disappearances, intimidation, and harassment. Intense military operations have been conducted by government forces in the peninsula and massive military troops were present in the peninsula. ^[8] Human rights advocates and various people's organizations gathered under the Save Bondoc Peninsula Movement conducted a Peace Caravan and Mercy Mission in the peninsula from June 25, 2012, to July 2, 2012. Their purpose was to document human rights abuses and provide relief operations, medical, and psychosocial assistance, among other services. ^[9]

Demographics

The majority of Bondoc Peninsula's inhabitants are Tagalogs and Roman Catholic Christianity is the dominant religion. They speak a Tagalog dialect influenced by those spoken in nearby Marinduque and eastern Oriental Mindoro, though Tayabas (Quezon) dialect and standard Tagalog (Filipino) are also spoken and understood. Another residents in the peninsula are Bicolanos who occupy its eastern part facing Bicolandia via Ragay Gulf, and Visayans (mainly Cebuano-speakers) who inhabit some remote areas of San Francisco and San Andres, due to its geographical contact with Cebuano-speaking parts of Burias Island in Masbate. Bicolano and Cebuano are heard in those areas as are Hiligaynon, Waray and Masbateño. ^{[ citation needed ]}

See also

• Bicol Region
• Poro Point
• Quezon's 3rd congressional district

References

1. "Province of Quezon - Cities and Municipalities". Quezon.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2012-11-03.
2. Carranza, Danilo (2011). "Agrarian Reform in Conflict Areas: The Bondoc Peninsula Experience". Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies. 26: 407–413.
3. ".:: Bon Pen Festival 2011 | Choose Philippines | Festivals Articles ::". Archived from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2012-08-13., BonPen Festival 2011
4. The sum of all barangays from the municipalities
5. "Bondoc Peninsula: A Travel Guide to the Third Disctrict of Quezon – Intrepid Wanderer". intrepidwanderer.com. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
6. "NPA rebels ransack ranch in Quezon, abduct 6 workers —military". GMA News Online. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
7. "9 wounded in NPA attack in Quezon. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
8. Silverio, Ina Alleco (2012-06-08). "Groups to launch Save Bondoc Peninsula Movement for Human Rights". Bulatlat. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
9. "Philippines: 'Save Bondoc Peninsula' Campaign". Global Voices. 2012-07-06. Retrieved 2023-10-01.