TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 19 (PIA) -- Since 2019, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has advised the public, especially those in indigenous cultural communities (ICCs), to be wary of groups claiming to be but are not connected or recognized as indigenous people (IP).

They may use the name of the government agency without authority, according to the NCIP.

In an advisory issued August 8, 2019, the NCIP in Regions 6 and 7 advised indigenous communities and the public that Sugbuanon Cebu Lapulapu Mandaue Sectoral Tribal Council (SUGSELAMANSTRICO), Supreme Council of Datus Alimaong (SCODA), Lapulapu Maharlikan Tribe, United Ati Tumindok Kalibugan Tribe, Lumad KKK Alimaong Higaonon Tribe and Royal Maharlika Tribes 1 Nation are not connected with the NCIP in the said regions, and are not among the validated and recognized indigenous cultural communities.

The advisory was signed by NCIP Regions 6 and 7 Director Ana Burgos.

Based on Memorandum Order No. 724, NCIP Chairperson Allen Capuyan issued another advisory in response to reports of an IP convention set on August 12-14 in Bohol.

Capuyan said they received queries concerning the IP Convention 2022 to be held on August 12 at Sitio Pondokan, Anonang Buenavista, Bohol.

He said that invitations to the said event were sent to various government officials and other stakeholders, allegedly by Luzon convenor Captain Rey Valeros Jr., Visayas convenor Papa Romeo A. Melecio, and Mindanao convenor Datu Allan Sumandang.

The convenors claimed to belong to the Institute for Customary Law (ICL) and the International Special Court of Arbitration and Human Rights (ISCAHR).

However, upon verification by NCIP, there is no such thing as Philippine-based ICL and is not affiliated with the ICL, and their activity is not in any way sanctioned by the ISCAHR.

Subsequent monitoring by the local authorities bared that the event took place in the said said venue and those who were in it were noted members of the said groups that were disavowed by the NCIP.

“This so-called ICL has the right to assemble as guaranteed by the 1987 Philippine Constitution, but they said that they are not aware of any IP leaders who have initiated the conduct of the same activity of this nature,” Capuyan said.

The said institutions are not in existence, said Capuyan, except for the ISCAHR, which also listed all its affiliated partners and did not mention the ICL.

Capuyan, in his latest commission memorandum, directed NCIP regional directors, provincial officers, and IP community service heads to advise indigenous cultural communities and IPs in their respective areas of jurisdiction to be cautious in joining or engaging with the ICL to avoid giving semblance of regularity to the activity or legitimacy to the organization to the damage and prejudice of the ICCs and IPs.

During the recent Kapihan sa PIA aired over DyTR AM, NCIP Bohol Officer In Charge Emmilou Gonzaga said there only three NCIP-recognized indigenous communities here.

She named the local tribes of the Eskaya (in Taytay Duero, Biabas Guindulman, Cantaub Sierra Bullones and Lundag in Pilar as well as in those in nearby barangays), the Ati who resettled here from Ilo-ilo and Aklan and are now settling in Calvario Loay, and the Badjao communities in Totolan Dauis.

Gonzaga also said those who claimed to be IPs cannot be proven by IDs or any other government registering agencies other than the NCIP.

She added that the IPs do not collect registrations for membership and would rather prove their indigenous roots through blood relations. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)