1002nd Infantry Brigade advances initiatives against IP exploitation

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 5): 1002nd Infantry Brigade advances initiatives against IP exploitation

In a bid to  empow indigenous people (IP) and promote peace and development in cultural communities, the 1002nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Malungon, Sarangani is strengthening  initiatives against IP exploitation  by rebel  groups.

Brigade commander Col. Ronald Villanueva said that aside from the peace and development outreach program the military is conducting in different areas, the 1002nd brigade also conducts various activities for IP  communities.

“We focus on indigenous people not only because they suffer from poverty and injustice but also because they are a rich source of the armed guerilla fighters,” Villanueva stated.

According to Villanueva, based on the statement of a rebel returnee, armed guerilla fighters or groups are using IP communities to indoctrinate the IP children on the communist ideology.

“Also, one of the means of IP exploitation the armed guerilla fighters are doing is the recruitment of minors to join their group,” the army official added.

On April this year, Villanueva noted that they have conducted an IP Leaders’ Forum in Sarangani gathering chieftains who discussed IP issues in their respective areas.

Also, recently, a summit involving IP leaders was held in General Santos City. Aimed at providing an avenue to discuss matters affecting the indigenous people, Villanueva emphasized that the activity intends to develop among the IPs the sense of belongingness.

“Our initiatives do not only focused on our fight against IP exploitation but also to generate support and commitment from the government,” Villanueva said adding that this is to answer one of the IP issues on the absence of the government and development in Ancestral Domains.

Among the salient points discussed in the summit are the indigenous political structure, ancestral domain and the socio-economic development in IP areas.

Meanwhile, to further answer the needs and the issues enveloping the tribal sector, the 1002nd Brigade passed two resolutions to the Regional Development Council 12 through the Macro-Economy, Development Administration and Finance Committee.

These include a resolution requesting the RDC to come up with terms and reference to mainstream Indigenous Political Structure in the policy and development intervention and a resolution requesting development councils in the region, province, city and municipality to adopt and integrate the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan in the policy and development intervention.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2301433474807/1002nd-infantry-brigade-advances-initiatives-against-ip-exploitation