Rifo Bobala
Sources
On 18 March 2024, seven indigenous community members in South Wasile District, East Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, Indonesia, were named as suspects in a case of alleged criminal acts because they were considered to have disturbed and obstructed the mining business activities of PT Wana Kencana Mineral (WKM).
The seven residents are Estepanus Djojong alias Panus, chairman of the Waijoi and Jikomoi customary stakeholders, Septon Djojon alias Ton of Waijoi, Keng Kamariba alias Keng of Waijoi Village, Lifas Gorango alias Rinto of Waijoy Village, Paulus Lasa alias Paul, Rifo Bobala alias Rifo of Jikomoi village, Oscar Barera alias Oscar of Jikomoi village. The communities have been defending their customary land rights against the company since 2021 and maintain that these accusations are baseless and part of a criminalisation strategy against them.