04 April 2023

The Higaonon Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs); the Manobo ICCs/IPs; and, Mamanwa ICCs/IPs led by their respective leaders and members of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD); Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL); Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Organization (MIPYO); together with National Commissions on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) led by the Office of Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR) Director Mr. Reynaldo Dingal paid a courtesy visit to TOG-10 of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in their base in Brgy Bancasi, Butuan City, Agusan del Sur.

The courtesy visit was part of the series of joint activity conducted by MIPCPD; MIPCEL; MIPYO; and NCIP in lobbying current issues and to strengthen the collaborative framework between ICCs/IPs and government agencies and to fulfill the 11 Building Blocks of a Resilient, Responsive, and Relevant ICCs/IPs. PAF-TOG 10 Group Commander COL HAROLD V HERNANDO PAF (GSC) warmly welcomes the visiting party and engaged in a closed door thorough discussion with the IP Leaders. Accordingly, the PAF has presented their accomplishments during Typhoon Odette and discussed their intent to actively participate in collaboration activities. Further, the PAF has also showcased their plans and programs related to the ICCs/IPs within their area of responsibility (AOR) such as direct support to the ICCs/IPs and the establishment of Ancestral Domain Management Office (ADMO) in Tulogan, Davao del Sur.

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04 April 2023

Mayapay Ancestral Domain (AD) Visitation in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

The Higaonon ICCs/IPs led by their IP leaders/elders welcomed the representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Mindanao Quick Response Team (MQRT) at the Mayapay Ancestral Domain Management Office (ADMO)/Tribal Hall, Brgy Bonbon, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte in April 04, 2023.

The NCIP Central Office was led by the Office of Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR) Director, Mr. Reynaldo Dingal together with their Regional/Field Office 13 officials in Agusan del Norte. The MQRT is a composite team of Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL) and Mindanao Inigenous Peoples Youth Organization (MIPYO) headed by MIPCEL Executive Director, Bawan Jake Lanes.

The main purpose of this visitation is to tackle prevailing issues in the area particularly the long and overdue delineation process of the Mayapay AD due to perceived misunderstanding between the community and the NCIP Provincial Delineation Team (PDT).

The following are the Ways Forward that were agreed upon during the visitation:

1. Reconstitution of the NCIP Provincial PDT to composed of NCIP personnel from the Regional Office;

2. Meeting with the community to address gaps and engage them as partners in the whole delineation; and, 

3. Higaonon Customary Ritual by the community.

In order to address the discontent of the Higaonon ICCs/IPs, the NCIP Field Personnel led by the NCIP Region XIII Director conducted Healing and Reconciliation activities for the Higaonon ICCs/IPs of the Mayapay AD.

This visitation is part of the on-going series of MQRT-NCIP joint activities in addressing the prevailing/current burning issues within every ICCs/IPs.

05 April 2023

In line with their aim of strengthening collaborative framework with local security forces in their respective communities. The Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL) and Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization (MIPYO) together with the National Commissions on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Director for the Office of Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR); Regional Director for NCIP Region XIII Office; and Provincial Officer of Agusan del Norte paid courtesy visit to the Regional Director, PBGen Pablo G. Labra II of Police Regional Office (PNP-PRO) 13 at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

The meeting paved way for the Investiture Ceremony for PBGen Labra as “Datu Makalunhaw;” (meaning “set the captives free”) and other officials of the PNP-PRO 13.  The Investiture is a customary rite of ICCs/IPs to formally recognize individuals as pertinent partners in the recognition, respect, promotion and protection of IP rights.

The PNP-PRO 13 officials expressed their gratitude for the honor and recognition; committed to address concerns among the ICCs/IPs to uphold their well-being towards the fulfillment of the 11 Building Blocks of a Resilient, Responsive, and Relevant ICCs/IPs.

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05 April 2023

The Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of Mamanwa-Manobo; Talaandig; representatives from the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL); and the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization (MIPYO) paid a courtesy visit to the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (4ID, PA) at Camp BGen Edilberto Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.

The meeting paved way for the Investiture Ceremony of MGen Jose Maria Cuerpo as “Datu Uma-Angkag” (meaning, “Valiant, Brave and Charismatic Warrior”); and MGen Joel M. Paloma as “Datu Insangka” (meaning, “Partner of the ICCs/IPs in the implementation of Peace and Order within their Community”). The Investiture is a customary rite of ICCs/IPs to formally recognize individuals as pertinent partners in the recognition, respect, promotion and protection of IP rights.

NCIP Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan, via Zoom platform, congratulated and thanked the two (2) army commanders and the 4ID, PA.

The Chairperson emphasized that this investiture activity will strengthen mutual respect and trust, as well as, the partnership of the ICCs/IPs in establishing peace and development in the ICCs/IPs ancestral domain and ancestral lands (ADs/ALs).

In response, MGen Cuerpo expressed his appreciation for activity and thanked everyone especially the NCIP Chairperson and NCIP Region X and XIII Directors for the work they have done for the ICCs/IPs. Further, he expressed that the 4ID, PA will help to find ways in resolving the burning issues of the ICCs/IPs.

During the meeting issues and concerns among the ICCs/IPs were also raised; necessary healing and reconciliation interventions in collaboration with MIPCEL; and MIPYO programs such as youth empowerment and anti-communist terrorist groups activities were also discussed to ensure well- being among ICCs/IPs.

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