FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — As part of its commitment to protecting the rights of the Indigenous People’s Community, the Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGAY) Division, Philippine Army, Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA has vowed to protect the rights of the latter to Ancestral Domain in relation to the Community Consultation and Dialogue conducted by the NTF-ELCAC in Zambales on February 08, 2022.
According to MGen Costelo, Secretary Allen A. Capuyan, Chairman of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and at the same time Executive Secretary of NTF-ELCAC, led the activity that aims to discuss and address the issues relative to IP rights in lands with Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs); IPs Self-Governance and Empowerment; Social Justice and Human Rights; and Cultural Integrity.
The Ancestral Domain in question is located in Cadmang-Reserva, Cabangan, Zambales; Sitio Maporac, Brgy New San Juan, Cabangan, Zambales; and Banawen-Yangil, Brgy Maloma, San Felipe, Zambales.
On the part of the IPs, Mr. Salvador Dimain, the Tribal Chieftain of Sitio Maporac expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the government to solve the issue of Ancestral Domain in their community.
“Kami po ay nagtiis ng dalawamput-tatlong taon at ngayon ay nagpapasalamat at binigyan kami ng pagkakakilanlan sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title,” said Chieftain Dimain.
Meanwhile, MGen Costelo emphasized that they will work hand-in-hand with the NCIP to protect the rights of the IP community and to shield them from the exploitation of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
“Pinapatibay nang kasundaluhan ang ating ugnayan sa NCIP upang mas ma protektahan ang karapatan ng ating mga katutubo. At sa pamamagitan ng kunsoltasyong ito mabilis matutugunan ng gobyerno ang kanilang problema sa lupa,” said MGen Costelo.
