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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider IP group defends BARMM minister from resignation calls

IP group defends BARMM minister from resignation calls

Published Apr 30, 2026 01:07 pm
ABDULRAHMAN (MIPA)
ABDULRAHMAN (MIPA)
DAVAO CITY – The Indigenous Peoples group Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG) has defended Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA) Minister Guiamal "Teng" Abdulrahman from individuals calling for his resignation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 29, the TJG said that Abdulrahman was appointed last August and the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Act (BIPA) that provided the mandate to MIPA was enacted in 2024.
The group issued the statement as accusations of "gross negligence, failure to address grievances, and loss of trust and confidence” were circulating on social media since last week against the official.
The TJG said the petition was launched by concerned citizens from the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
“The question is how can these concerned citizens claim that IPs are experiencing gross negligence, failure to address grievances, and loss of trust and confidence when Abdulrahman had just been appointed?” the IP group said.
Instead, real concerned citizens should cooperate with duly authorized officials of the government, especially that MIPA is a newly-formed agency compared to other agencies in the region, added TJG, which covers the IP communities mostly located in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
For TJG, the goal of the so-called concerned citizens is not for the development of MIPA or the Bangsamoro region but to simply destroy the institution.
“Thus, we condemned these acts. If the accusations have basis or are legitimate, we call on them to bring this to the proper forum to address the issue properly,” the group said.
TJG urged their communities to unite and support the programs of the MIPA.
The group cited the implementation of the MIPA Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2026, or General Guidelines on the Confirmation of Indigenous Political Structures (IPS), signed by Abdulrahman last April 28.
The Dulangan Manobo Tribal Justice and Self-Governance (DMTJSG) also defended Abdulrahman, saying MIPA has been upholding the rights of the IPs in the Bangsamoro region.
The DMTJSG, which covers the IP communities in the hinterlands of Maguindanao del Sur and portions of Sultan Kudarat, decried the disinformation campaign against Abdulrahman that will only
create confusion and polarization of IP communities. “We express our full support and trust to the current leadership of MIPA,” DMTJSG added.
The DMTJSG and TJG urged IPs in the region to unite in performing their duties for the welfare of the community.
Abdulrahman acknowledged and thanked indigenous groups for their support.
“Certain individuals have circulated false information about me and my leadership. Such actions are unjust and do not reflect the truth. I would like to emphasize that my office remains open to all, without discrimination,” he said.
The MIPA official said that he is open to suggestions and recommendations to improve services to indigenous communities.

Related Tags

TJG IPs BARMM MIPA Guiamal Abdulrahman
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