INDIGENOUS people (IP) from Magpet, North Cotabato reportedly went to Brgy. Baganihan in Marilog District, Davao City to reclaim their ancestral domains, said Davao City Councilor Conde Baluran on August 31, 2022.
Baluran told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that the IPs arrived two weeks ago and were composed of around 50 tribal leaders and clan heirs.
“Naa sila dala papel but dili ko makasulti kung authentic ba na ilang papel na gidala but gi-contest pud sila sa mga taga Baganihan na ilang dala, dili daw na siya tinood (They brought documents but I can’t say if these are authentic or not but it was questioned by IPs from Brgy. Baganihan who said their documents aren’t real),” Baluran said, mentioning that the IPs, particularly the Matigsalug tribe, in Brgy. Baganihan showed documents that their ancestors already resided in the area for 30 to 40 years.
Baluran added that the IPs from Magpet settled in developed areas in the barangay, alerting the military and police to monitor the area. He said the matter was alarming since the IPs were cutting down trees and settling at places that already have owners.
“Daghan kaayo mga developed areas na ila gisudlan so gisulod ang military ug ang police, gi-hold sila na no movement until mahibalan kung authentic ba ilang claim (There are many developed areas where they settled in so our military and police went to the area to hold them until we find out if their claim is authentic),” he said.
However, head of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) Angel Sumagaysay said the situation in Brgy. Baganihan remains peaceful.
“On board ko dire and wala’y gubot (I am on board here and there is no conflict),” Sumagaysay told SunStar Davao.
Sumagaysay also said that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Matigsalug tribe in Marilog are validating the claims of the IPs from Magpet. There is no information yet as to how many hectares of ancestral domains they want to reclaim.
Currently, Baluran said the Magpet IPs are being evacuated from the area until an official from NCIP assesses the situation.
“Delikado man gud kung mapasagdan sila kay basig magkaroon og armed conflict, mao na atong gilikayan (It’s dangerous if they’re not monitored because it may start an armed conflict, that’s what we are avoiding,)” he said. (With reports from RGL)