CLARK FREEPORT -- A group of Aeta leaders and chieftains have asked the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the alleged rampant and illegal selling of properties inside the tribe’s ancestral domain.
The seven tribal leaders -- Roy Tanglao, Marcelo Sumilang, Marilou Tanglao, Bernie Mallari, Rading Sibal, Carlo Tolentino, and Francisco Tarosa -- represent indigenous people in various sitios in Mabalacat City in Pampanga and Bamban town in Tarlac.
The Aeta leaders request of investigation dated April 2, 2018 was addressed to NCIP Central Luzon Director Ronaldo M. Daquioag and DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin B. Dino.
“Kami pong mga katutubong Aeta ng Mabalacat, Pampanga at Bamban, Tarlac ay lumalapit sa inyong tanggapan upang hilingin ng imbestigahan ang nagaganap na bentahan ng lupa na nakapaloob sa aming lupang ninuno na pag-aari ng mga katutubong Aeta at paglabag sa aming batas Ipra,” the tribe leaders stated.
Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (Ipra) of 1997 is a legislation that recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous people and cultural minorities in the country.
The tribal leaders decided to seek the help of the DILG and NCIP after an official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Clark allegedly bought a parcel of land inside the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title 025.
The Aeta elders said they tried to stop workers who are erecting a fence at a property bought by the BI official but Calumpang village chief Jimmy Jimenez forced them to leave the area.
“Pinagsisigawan kami ni Punong Barangay Jimmy Jimenez ng Barangay Calumpang, Mabalacat City, at kami ay tinakot na masasaktan kung kami hindi aalis kaagad sa nasabing manggahan at may mamamatay sa amin,” the Aeta leaders added.
The property sold to the BI official covers a portion of the Aeta tribe’s cemetery, according to the complainants.
“Na ang masakit ay kasama sa binakuran at ginawang farm para sa alagaang manok panabong ay ang aming sementeryo,” the leaders added in their letter.