DAVAO CITY – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples has urged the public to be vigilant against a bogus group claiming to be the legitimate representative of indigenous peoples groups in the Caraga region.
The NCIP issued the statement after a group called the Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines conducted unauthorized checkpoints and closed several establishments in Surigao City.
Videos of FTGP’s activities on Jan. 24 went viral online after the group was seen padlocking some business establishments as well as verbal confrontations with police officers after being stopped in a checkpoint.
Led by self-proclaimed chieftain Jorgeto Corpuz Santisas, also known as Datu Adlaw, the group asserted that “all lands in Surigao City and Surigao del Sur belong to their ancestral domain.”
Tribal members were also seen in the video roaming on the streets with their traditional bolos tucked on their sides.
NCIP Chairwoman Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las said that FTGP’s activities are unauthorized and have raised serious concerns.
In a statement, Las added that the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) does not grant any individual or group the authority to establish a separate government.
“While the IPRA recognizes the inherent right of ICCs/IPs to self-governance and self-determination, this right does not extend to establishing a separate government or usurping legitimate government agencies' functions.”
She said that the exercise of self-governance shall be within the framework of Philippine laws and shall not infringe upon the rights and authority of the State.
The NCIP head also said that the FTGP does not represent the legitimate indigenous communities and is not recognized as an Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) by the tribes in the Caraga region as well as the NCIP.
Caraga is composed of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. The region is home to the Manobo, Mamanwa, Higaonon, Banwaon, and Mandaya tribes.
Las added that FTGP’s main goal is to allegedly solicit funds as well as favors for their personal gain under the guise of a legitimate IPO.
She added that the group has caused alarm and scandal in public after they conducted checkpoints and claimed authority over certain areas.
“We urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or individuals claiming to represent the FTGP or any organizations affiliated with it to the nearest police station or to the NCIP office,” Las said.
Reports said that the Surigao City Police Office is preparing to file an alarm and scandal case against the group.
The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office urged the public to report any further activities of the FTGP to authorities.
“Nanawagan din kami sa publiko na huwag magpapaniwala sa mga maling impormasyon at huwag sumali sa anumang aktibidad ng grupong ito,” Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office chief Police Col. Warren Dablo appealed.