AFP, NCIP conduct workshop for creation of IP Desks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): AFP, NCIP conduct workshop for creation of IP Desks

Recognizing the vulnerability of indigenous groups in the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples conducted a workshop to jumpstart the creation of AFP IP Desks.

The latter activity, held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Clubhouse Thursday, is in line with the memorandum of agreement signed by the AFP and the NCIP in October last year to “develop a framework for the full implementation of IP Desks.”

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs office chief, said this will also plan the conduct of education and advocacy activities on IP rights and the IP Rights Act.

The IP Desks will operate a quick response unit as a mechanism focusing on protecting IPs from the exploitation of the New People’s Army and front organizations.

In line with this, Commanders, Major Services, and Unified Commands are directed to create IP desks down to the Infantry Division level.

Military leaders at all levels of implementation shall endeavor to work closely with NCIP, the Dept. of Environment and National Resources, other local government units, and non-government organizations working on IP issues.

The said workshop was attended by NCIP chairperson Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid who also met with the AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista.

“For some time, the IP has depended more on the AFP. We are not here to revise that. Make us look to you as our big brothers--that is what the quick response is about,” Pawid stressed.

She also emphasized the Cordilleras as an autonomous region, "keystoning" the “initiative of the governor and the ten mayors of Mountain Province who have declared the whole province as un-friendly to the CPP-NPA.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=547951