DAVAO CITY – The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is mulling to create a task force to address tribal conflicts in the region.
Land conflicts, according to MIPA, are said to be the root causes of spate of killings in the region, particularly in mountainous areas of Maguindanao del Sur.
MIPA said that they recently convened local government, police, and military officials to discuss the creation of the task force.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarette said the task force will handle untoward incidents, particularly the IP killings.
Nafarette added that there is an urgent need for the local government of Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur to establish a dedicated task force to address killings.
Two members of the Dulangan-Manobo tribe were ambushed last December in Datu Hoffer. One of them was a tribal leader of the IP in the area.
“The task force would play a critical role in focusing efforts on solving these incidents and ensuring the safety and security of residents,” Nafarette said. "Legal action would empower the government to pursue and hold the offenders accountable. Filing cases, would serve as a strong weapon in seeking justice for the victims."
Almost 80 IPs have been killed since in the region have been killed since 2018. Many of these were linked to land conflicts, police said. Among the unresolved murders was the killing of Upi, Maguindanao del Norte Vice Mayor Roland Benito last August.
Datu Hoffer Mayor Bai Bongbong Ampatuan said that they are facing difficulties in resolving conflicts as residents are apparently afraid to cooperate. But Ampatuan assured that they are doing their best to address the problem especially in Barangays Tuayan Mother and Mantao where most of the killings happened.
Several IP leaders in the region have expressed dismay on the unresolved killings. They are not hopeful justice would be served to the victims.
Late last year, Froilyn Mendoza, a member of parliament representing the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), said the killing is deeply alarming, adding that they are no longer isolated cases.
“Too many of our indigenous brothers and sisters have been victims of violence, and yet justice continues to elude us. This lack of accountability fosters an environment of fear and insecurity in our communities,” Mendoza said.