Kalinaw News: SALAKNIB Battalion conducts IPLS for Calinga Tribe

Posted to the Kalinaw News (Oct 21, 2020): SALAKNIB Battalion conducts IPLS for Calinga Tribe (By 95th Infantry Battalion)

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – 95th Infantry (SALAKNIB) Battalion, Philippine Army facilitated a three-day Indigenous People Leadership Summit at Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu Isabela on October 19-21, 2020.



The said activity was participated in by 18 Calinga tribe leaders and members who came from different IP communities in San Mariano, Isabela. The activity aimed to build the capability of the Calingas as vital members of the society.

Marites Baraquio, a Calinga leader who is among the participants, showed how enthusiastic she was on the appreciation in their role in the society.

“Sa pamamagitan ng aktibidad na ito, naramdaman namin ang kalinga at pagpapahalaga ng pamahalaan sa aming tribo. Nabigyan kami ng pansin at importansya sa aktibidad nan ito. Malaking bagay ang mabigyan kami ng pagkilala upang makilala ang aming kultura. Patutunayan namin ngayon ang aming kapabilidad para makapag-ambag sa pagsasa-ayos ng takbo ng aming lokalidad.”

She also said that the activity benefited her and the other participants with the leadership training. As an IP leader, Baraquio learned how to handle issues that concerns their tribe in which she will eventually pass on to the members in their community.

“Napakalaking tulong po nitong summit dahil marami kaming natutunan. Una ay ang patungkol sa tunay na kalagayan ng seguridad at insurhensiya sa bayan at kung anu ang mga hakbangin ng pamahalaan para sa mamamayan. Pangalawa, ay ang mga dapat gawin sa pagkakataong may mangyaring krimen sa komunidad. Napakalaking bagay din na natutunan sa kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at pagdadamayan ng bawat isa.”

She expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Army for their sincerity in addressing their issues that made them feel the peace and progress that they have been hoping for. “Mabuti na lang at dumating ang mga sundalo sa San Mariano para hindi na kami natatakot sa mga rebeldeng grupo. Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko na may ganitong aktibidad para sa amin dahil mas naliwanagan kami sa ginagawang panlilinlang sa amin ng mga makakaliwang grupo. Ngayon, kaya na naming ipagtanggol ang aming mga karapatan at alam na namin kung sino ang tunay na malalapitan.”

National Commission on Indigenous People Region 02 Director Ronaldo Daquioag graced the said event. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of the implementation of Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) Law for the protection of the Calingas rights and welfare. This is also a protection for the IPs against the Communist Terrorist Groups’ (CTGs) deception and recruitment. IPLS is a big deterrent to insurgency and also a way to educate the Calingas regarding the said law.

Isabela Police Provincial Office headed by PCol James Cipriano also briefed the said tribe on their campaign against criminality while National Intelligence Coordinating Agency shared their insights on the CTGs’ movements. Good governance through the Whole-of-Nation Approach is just a step to attain inclusive peace and development in our community that may result in ending the local communist armed conflict.

BGen Laurence E Mina PA, Commander, 5th Infantry Division, recognized the effort of the Salaknib Battalion in order to protect the welfare of the Calinga tribe. “Let us advocate the implementation of IPRA Law for our IPs and let them feel that they belong to the mainstream of the society. We are on the same level they are as important as everyone in the community. Walang dapat mapag-iwanan sa atin at walang dapat maligaw ng landas.”

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