DAVAO City Indigenous Peoples' Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Rodolfo Mande condemned the vlogger who made “offensive” remarks about the members of the Indigenous Peoples (IP).
Mande told reporters that the actions of vlogger “Tor Bagtik” toward the elder members of the Ata tribe were a huge sin. He said that even though Bagtik expressed compassion toward them, his actions were a form of bullying directed at the IP members.
“Wala mi nalipay sa iyang gihimo. Tibuok tribu sa Mindanao, particulalry diri sa Davao, kay kato mga bae nga iyang gipa sayaw-sayaw tapos gihatagan og kwarta mali na gyud kaayo iyang gihimo (We were not happy with what he did, the entire tribe in Mindanao, particularly here in Davao, because those women he made to dance and then given money, what he did was really wrong),” he said on Tuesday morning, March 4, 2025.
He said that the Office of the Indigenous Peoples' Mandatory Representative, together with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Davao Region (NCIP-Davao), would call on “Tor Bagtik.”
Mande also said that the vlogger would be liable for a penalty; however, when asked what the penalty would be, he did not divulge.
Similarly, the United Moro and Indigenous Peoples Movement (Umip) condemned vlogger “Tor Bagtik” for describing elderly Ata tribe members as "looy na lood" (pitiful and disgusting). The group stated that the vlogger's remarks were offensive and deeply discriminatory, reflecting a lack of respect for the diverse culture and identity of Davao City.
“Davao City has always been a city of inclusivity, fairness, and love – values that our indigenous and Moro communities uphold and contribute to. Any form of discrimination, especially against our indigenous elders, is an insult to the harmonious coexistence we have built over generations,” Umip said in its official statement.
Meanwhile, Tor Bagtik, in a Facebook post on March 3, asked for forgiveness for his now-deleted video. He said that it was not his intention to offend the members of the IP community and that he was taking responsibility for his actions.
“Salamat sa inyong pagsabot ug suporta. Gipabilhan nako ang tanan nimong feedback ug magpadayon ako sa pagkat-on gikan niini. Sa makausa pa, pasayloa ko ninyo ug buhaton nako ang labi ka maayo (Thank you for your understanding and support. I value all your feedback and I will continue learning from it. Once again, please forgive me and I will do my best),” he said.
While acknowledging Tor Bagtik’s apology, Umip stressed that this should serve as a firm reminder that creating social media content should “never come at the expense of another person’s dignity.” They emphasized that gaining popularity through the degradation of other people is an inhumane act, especially in Davao City, which promotes respect and unity.
“May this be a lesson for everyone to use their platforms responsibly and with integrity,” the group said.
The group then called on Dabawenyos to uphold values of respect and cultural sensitivity both online and offline. They encouraged the public to be responsible citizens and promote understanding and appreciation for the diverse communities in the city.
Under Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, it is stipulated that members of the IP are free from discrimination and have the right to equal opportunity and treatment.
In addition, Section 31 also stipulates that the government must take effective measures to eliminate prejudice and discrimination, as well as promote tolerance, understanding, and good relations among IPs and all members of society. RGP