CORDILLERA groups feel betrayed by the city government’s position against the installation of an Indigenous Peoples (IP) representative to the Baguio City Council.
Even perceived allies, Councilors Faustino Olowan, Peter Fianza and Art Allad - iw, signed the document asking the court to exempt Baguio City from having an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
Sarah Dekdeken of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance said they were both shocked and saddened by the City Council`s support to the move of Mayor Mauricio Domogan through the city legal office.
“It is unfortunate that they all signed and we must make them realize the need,” Dekdeken said.
Dekdeken added the celebration of World Indigenous Day on August 8 will focus protests on the recent move of the city to do away with an IPMR.
“From the start siya (Domogan) na ang opposed dito. Tumitindi ang rights violations dito,” added Dekdeken, citing the continued depletion of resources of the region.
(He has been opposed from the start. Human rights violations are worsening.)
Dekdeken said talks with Olowan, Fianza and Allad-iw will also be in order to seek a measure to install an IPMR to the city council.
The Baguio City Government led by Domogan said IPs in the city are not marginalized nor a minority, considering that members of the city council are IPs themselves.
The local government said this makes the IPMR position redundant and the Charter of the Baguio City maintains primacy over the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
The answer was signed by City Legal officer, Melchor Rabanes verified by the chief executive and backed by the entire city council and submitted to Branch 7 of the Regional Trial Court in response to the legal tussle between the stunted IPMR elected elder, Roger Sinot.
Meanwhile, IP day activities will kick off with a protest march at the Malcolm square with human rights defenders from the six provinces of the region. IP from other regions of the country and other countries are likewise set to join the three-day activities.