(Anton Santos (in orange shirt) thanks Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda for saving him from death, a sentence handed down to him by the family of a man killed by his father in 2013. Photo courtesy of PSWDO)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda has called for the review of tribal customary laws that almost caused the execution of an Aeta male in Porac town last week.
Pineda has asked the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to coordinate with national and regional agencies and legal minds for a thorough examination of the customary laws governing the Aeta tribes here that may run in conflict with the laws of land.
Last Thursday, Pineda thwarted the execution of Anton Santos, 19, of the upland village of Camias in Porac by members of his own tribe.
Santos was to be killed as payment for his father’s killing of one “Siete” in 2013. As his father had died, Santos had to take his place as directed by their tribal justice system called “manablas”(retaliation) in their local dialect.
Aside from sending troopers of the 1st Pampanga Provincial Mobile Force Company to rescue Santos minutes before his execution, Pineda also organized a team including representatives from the indigenous peoples to conduct negotiations and settle the blood debts of Santos with the family of the victim identified as the Serranos.
The Serrano’s demand for P100,000 in cash as blood money, two carabaos and three goats was complied by the Santoses. The parties thereafter signing a peace and settlement agreement with invocation to God and the Aeta deity Apo Namalyari.
At a subsequent call at the Capitol, the parties and accompanying elders were told by Pineda “the right entity to render justice was the government’s justice system,” as the Philippine Constitution is supreme over customary tribal laws.
For a start, Pineda directed the PSWDO to conduct seminars on the legal system to be attended by the IP’s, especially their council of elders.
“Our governor instructed us na magconduct ng mga orientations to help the Aetas understand and recognize not only their customs but also ang mga batas ng ating gubyerno,” said PSWDO chief Elizabeth Baybayan.
She said her office will also conduct coaching sessions about life and morality to help Aetas balance their customs and beliefs with the laws of the government.
As of January 2019, census from the National Commission on the Indigenous People (NCIP) shows that at least 5,855 families or 21,684 Aeta individuals reside in the province. Baybayan added they will immediately start the orientation after their coordination with the NCIP.
– Bong Lacson with Luisse Rutao/Pampanga PIO
