Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two leaders and 19 loyal followers of an alleged indigenous group behind the padlocking of several business establishments in Surigao City last month after claiming ownership of Surigao del Norte and the entire Philippines.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said arrested suspects Datu Adlaw and Bae Lourdes are leaders of the Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines (FTGP) which has been claiming ownership over the entire country.
Torre said the padlocking of several establishments in Surigao City on Jan. 24 was carried out by the group which has been saying that it is the new government and its ownership of Surigao del Norte and the rest of the country is based Republic Act 8371 (The Indigenous Peoples Rights of 1997).
‘The padlocking of several business establishments in Surigao City for alleged violations of ancestral land rights in Surigao City caused chaos and public disturbance,” said Torre.
“They also set up unauthorized checkpoints along the national highway in Barangay Sabang where they threatened commuters regarding their claims,” he added.
Armed with arrest warrant issued by a local court for Usurpation of Authority, CIDG operatives raided the hideout of the group at the FTGP Compound in Purok-5, Barangay Sabang, Surigao City and arrested Adlaw and Lourdes.
The cops also nabbed 19 other followers of the group.
Based on the background investigation, Torre said they found out that the group of Adlaw has been recruiting non-Lumads.
“They were charging the recruits ₱1,200 in membership fees with a false promise of a ₱25,000 monthly allowance,” said Torre.
“We are now conducting an investigation on the legality of the FTGP. Manhunt operations to the other remaining subjects of the warrant of arrest are ongoing,” he added.