Further, such process m a y produce irreparable a n d irreversib consequences t o t h e detriment o f the Filipinos. Unnecessary tension violence m a y result and m o r e h u m a n rights violations m a y not be far behi T h e consultations should include t h e Filipino people i n gener because o f the impact o n the territory, economics, and national securit the nation as a w h o l e , w i t h particular attention t o the participation people o f M i n d a n a o , including the indigenous cultural communities. Republic A c t N o . 8 3 7 1 , otherwise k n o w n as the Indigenous R i g h t s A c t or the I P R A L a w , i s clear: Peoples " F r e e and P r i o r I n f o r m e d C o n s e n t - as used i n this A c t shall m e a n the consensus o f a l l members o f t h e Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples t o b e determined i n accordance w i t h t h e i r respective c u s t o m a r y l a w s a n d practices, free f r o m a n y e x t e m a l m a n i p u l a t i o n , interference, coercion, a n d obtained after fully disclosing the intent and scope o f the activity, i n a language and process understandable to the community."^ T h e right o f t h e Indigenous Peoples t o free, p r i o r a n d i n f o r consent ( F P I C ) is a n internationally and nationally guaranteed right. been legislated i n t h e Indigenous People's Rights A c t ( I P R A ) , a recognized a n d accepted b y a number o f intergovernmental organizat a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l b o d i e s a n d , i n c r e a s i n g l y , i n t h e l a w s o f t h e states."* I n contemporary international law, indigenous peoples have the rig to participate i n decision-making and t o give o r w i t h h o l d their conse activities affecting their lands, territories and resources o r rights i n Consent m u s t b e freely given, obtained prior to implementation o f activi and b e founded u p o n an understanding o f the full range o f issues implic b y the a c t i v i t y o r decision i n question; hence, the f o r m u l a t i o n : free, p r i i n f o r m e d consent.^ The U . N . Committee o n the Elimination o f Racial Discrimination called u p o n states parties^ t o "ensure that m e m b e r s o f indigenous peo have equal rights i n respect o f effective participation i n public life, a n o decisions directly r e l a t i n g t o their rights and interests are t a k e n their i n f o r m e d consent."'' T h e C o m m i t t e e particularly urges the State "to consult and seek the consent o f the indigenous peoples concerned." ^ Section 2 (g), IPRA Law •* Indigenous Peoples' Right to free, prior and informed consent and the World Bank's Industries Review, 2004 ' Ibid. * the Philippines is a State Party to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial D since January 4, 1969 ' Indigenous Peoples' Right to free, prior and informed consent and the World Bank's Industries Review, 2004 ^ Ibid.