NCIP probes ‘land grabbing’ in Porac

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Region 3 said Thursday it has ordered an inquiry into allegations of some farmers groups’ encroaching lands belonging to the Aetas in the upland village of Sitio Pidpid, Barangay Sapang Uwak, Porac, Pampanga.

Salong M. Sunggod, NCIP acting regional director, said the investigation is being carried out after members of the

Aeta community in Sitio Pidpid filed before his office a formal complaint seeking the intervention of the government against non-indigenous organized groups encroaching on their rightful ancestral domain.

“Investigation (on this case) is still ongoing. We had a lawyer sent to assess the situation and to hold talks with the involved parties,” Sunggod said in an interview.

“We will try to expedite this investigation so we could already address the concerns of the Aetas, and return what is due them,” he added.

In his letter received at the NCIP Regional Office last June 10, Paramay Sibal, the designated representative of the Aeta community, complained that some members of the “Aniban ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Hacienda Dolores” and “Alyansa ng Magbubukid at Residente ng Hacienda Dolores” were identified as having entered Sitio Pidpid as early as last year without permission from Aeta elders or leaders.

Sibal said these individuals had established residence and fenced off portions of land within the property despite notice from the Aetas.

Sibal likewise accused the group of instigating unfair trade in the community, selling overpriced goods such as coffee, rice and sugar; and even buying Aetas’ produce below market prices, thus affecting their livelihood.

Mentioned in the complaint were Catalino David, Omar Franco, Cornelio Pineda, Rafael Ignacio, Ignacio Ignacio, Bodoy David, Poloy Tolentino, Bonjing Pineda, Alan Ayson, Elizabeth Salunga and Oling Ayson, all reportedly lodged either in Sitio Maniubag, Barangay Sapang Uwak or nearby Barangay Hacienda Dolores. -- FG