TWO Aeta groups have signed a unification agreement in a bid to acquire their shares from business revenues operating within their ancestral lands.

The Bamban Ayta Tribal Association (Bata) and the Mabalacat Ayta Tribal Association (Mata) signed a peace and unification agreement during a meeting in Angeles City, Pampanga on Monday, December 7, 2020.

Bata Chairman Oscar Rivera, Mata Chairman Robert Serrano and Angeles City Councilor Joseph “PG” Ponce signed the agreement.

Ponce, also founder of the People’s Guardian of Central Luzon Coalition, organized the agreement signing along with Chito Balintay, president of the Alyansa ng Katutubong Ayta ng Pilipinas (Akap), and lawyer Erwin Navarez.

“This agreement signing aims to end tribal disputes between our Aeta brothers regarding their shares from Clark Development Corporation (CDC),” Ponce said.

Once united, Ponce said it will be easier for Aeta groups to get their shares from business revenues operating within their ancestral domains of about 10,000 hectares.

Ponce said Aeta shares from these businesses total to more than P800 million to date.

Rivera and Serrano both said they welcome the unification agreement.

Ponce said the agreement will be presented to CDC.

Also present during the agreement signing were lawyer Sonny Pimentel, Regional Special Training Center Unit (RSTCU)-Central Luzon Manager Police Colonel Frederick Obar, RSTCU-Central Luzon Deputy Manager Police Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Guzman and Henry Bayubay.