With the ultimate goal of promoting the government’s peace and development efforts towards progressive and peaceful IP communities, 170 leaders of the five Mangyan Tribes in Mindoro Island have pledged to support the government programs under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) during the Southern Mindoro IP Leaders Peace Summit held in Sitio Banaba, Barangay Benli, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro from September 1 to 3, 2022.
Leaders from Bangon, Buhid, Gubatnon, Hanunuo at Ratagnon Mangyan Tribes together with the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company under Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office, and other government agencies from the Provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro gathered during the said three-day summit, with the theme “Pamahalaan, Katutubo, at Kasundaluhan, Nagkaisa para sa Tunay na Kapayapaan,” spearheaded by the 4th Infantry “Scorpion” Battalion, Philippine Army.
As part of their capacity building, the IP leaders underwent lectures on the following topics: The Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997 (NCIP), Anti-Terrorism Act of 2022 (PNP), and Recruitment Scheme of CPP-NPA-NDF (4IB, PA).
Moreover, several presentations and open forum on basic services and programs of the different government agencies were conducted: Clarity and Efficiency of National Greening Program (DENR), Soil testing for Identification of Appropriate Plants in the Area (DA), Overlapping on Land Boundaries of Bulalacao (DAR), Low Farm Output Prices (DTI), Farm to Market Road (DPWH), Deployment of Mangyan Teachers in Communities (DepEd), Electrification (ORMECO), Registration of IP’s Name in Database (PSA), Skill Training Opportunities (TESDA), Job Opportunities for IPs (DOLE), Health Care services for IPs in far-flung areas (DOH and German Doctors), Good Governance for IPs (DILG), and Social Welfare Services for IPs (DSWD), among others.
The highlights of the summit were pledge of commitment and oath signing which established the peaceful resolution in solving issues and concerns among IP leaders in Southern Mindoro.
The summit aimed to strengthen partnership and collaboration between local and provincial government agencies to address the issues and concerns in their communities that are being exploited by the CPP-NPA-NDF.
In early May this year, project contractors and members of the business community in Mindoro Island had vowed support to the government’s NTF-ELCAC in putting an end to the extortion activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) through manifesto signing at the 203rd Brigade Headquarters, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.
The said activity which highlighted the coordinating conference hosted and initiated by the 203rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, together with Police Regional Office MIMAROPA, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 4B, was intended to address the reports that members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) are actively extorting money and goods from contractors and businessmen in Mindoro provinces.
In his message, Police Regional Office MIMAROPA Director Police Brigadier General SIDNEY SULTAN HERNIA underscored the role of the private contractors and businessmen in carrying out the government’s flagship programs, and its campaign against terrorism and insurgency.
“Rejecting support to the CTGs may be the best decision you can make in your life, not just for your family but for the majority of Filipinos. We, in the PNP, would like to assure you that we will protect you at all times and at all costs”, PBGen Hernia said.
