AFP denies militarization in SoMin IP communities

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has denied allegations of “militarization” in the ancestral domain of indigenous peoples in Southern Mindanao.
10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Eduardo Año said that there is no truth behind the accusation of the Kalumaran Southern Mindanao that there are abuses happening in some areas of Talaingod.
“It is not true. No militarization is going on. What the military is doing in the IP communities is peace and development,” Año said.
Kalumaran had cried foul over what they say are physical and sexual abuses as well as manipulation of ancestral domains and “militarization” happening in Talaingod.
In an interview with 105.9 Balita FM, Dolphing Ogan, the secretary general of Kalumaran, called the attention of the National Commission of the Indigenous People (NCIP) to take action on what is happening in Talaingod.
“Ang NCIP kinahanglan nga muadto sa kabukiran aron nga lantawon ang tinuod nga kahimtang sa kalumaran og dili lang kay mag-storya sa ilang buhatan,” Ogan said.
On Wednesday, several Lumads composed of different tribes put up a rally in front of the NCIP office to urge it to take a step in what is happening in the hinterland.
NCIP said it hopes the Lumads who complain about the abuses will submit a community resolution as soon as possible in order to file charges against the perpetrators.
Regional Hearing Officer of NCIP-Region 11 Lawyer Jake Dumagan said an agreement to submit a community petition was agreed on by the NCIP and leaders from Ata Manobo from Talaingod even before they staged a protest in the city.
“Once we receive the necessary papers, we will assess it and then we will bring it to the Department on National Defense or in Philippine Army for the official filing of cases,” Dumagan said.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario backed Año in denying the allegations.
“Wala talagang militarization sa Lumad areas. Ang totoo may mga complaint desk kami para sa Lumad (pero) wala naman kaming natatangap tungkol dun kahit dati pa,” Rosario said.
Año also added that the complaints about the alleged Militarization in the hinterlands were never new to them, saying that the progressive groups always make it an excuse to shoo away the Military in the area of the New People’s Army.