Baguio councilors to grill NCIP top official for demeaning Igorots
>> Saturday, April 1, 2023
BAGUIO CITY – National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Commissioner, Gaspar A. Cayat now finds
himself in hot water at the City Council here mostly constituted by Indigenous
People (IP) legislators, over his demeaning claims against the word “Igorot”.
By way of a resolution, six of the Igorot councilors moved while the rest of the councilors seconded the passing of the resolution dubbed, “Resolution in aid of legislation to invite National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Commissioner Gaspar Anuman Cayat to explain and elucidate his rebuke not to use the word ‘Igorot’ by claiming that the word is the exact word used by the CPP-NPA-NDF or the Communist Terrorist Groups before the Sanguniang Panlungsod of Baguio”
The resolution stemmed from the statement uttered by Cayat during a public forum cautioning the IPs not to use the word “Igorot”.
He was caught stating, “I want to caution or refrain you ladies and gentlemen that these words: ‘Igorot’, ‘Lumad’, and ‘Tumandok’, are the very words being used by the CPP-NPA-NDF or the Communist Terrorist Groups”.
The statement of Cayat according to the Resolution, apart from being witnessed publicly by those in physical attendance on March 21, 2021, was publicized and posted on Facebook Live by the NCIP-CAR FB page and was viewed, shared and commented by numerous IPs.
The Resolution added that the same video footage underscored numerous negative resentments and irked the IPs, not only those residing in Baguio, but also those who trace their roots in the Cordillera.
“Cayat openly, wittingly and without any ounce of afterthought whatsoever, while arguing that the words ‘Igorot’, including ‘Tumandok’ and ‘Lumad’ are not mentioned in the 101 list of IPs in the NCIP EPANAW Coffee Table Books, emphasized that the term ‘Igorot’ is the language of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Thus, apart from sowing confusion, Cayat’s public pronouncement created a chilling-effect among the IPs in the Cordillera, particularly those using the word ‘Igorot’, as possible members of the CTGs”, said the Resolution.
The City Council, on much lesser but similar cases back in 2009, issued a resolution of persona-non-grata.
One infamous case was that of Candy Pangilinan who jokingly uttered “tao po ako hindi Igorot” which resulted in condemnation from the Igorot community of Baguio leading to her banishment.
Interestingly, those Igorot legislators in 2009 who pushed for the persona-non-grata against Candy Pangilinan namely; lawyers Jose Molintas and Fred Bagbagen are still councilors.
The persona-non-grata was later rescinded after Candy Pangilinan visited the Igorot lawmakers at the city council and asked for forgiveness.
By way of a resolution, six of the Igorot councilors moved while the rest of the councilors seconded the passing of the resolution dubbed, “Resolution in aid of legislation to invite National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Commissioner Gaspar Anuman Cayat to explain and elucidate his rebuke not to use the word ‘Igorot’ by claiming that the word is the exact word used by the CPP-NPA-NDF or the Communist Terrorist Groups before the Sanguniang Panlungsod of Baguio”
The resolution stemmed from the statement uttered by Cayat during a public forum cautioning the IPs not to use the word “Igorot”.
He was caught stating, “I want to caution or refrain you ladies and gentlemen that these words: ‘Igorot’, ‘Lumad’, and ‘Tumandok’, are the very words being used by the CPP-NPA-NDF or the Communist Terrorist Groups”.
The statement of Cayat according to the Resolution, apart from being witnessed publicly by those in physical attendance on March 21, 2021, was publicized and posted on Facebook Live by the NCIP-CAR FB page and was viewed, shared and commented by numerous IPs.
The Resolution added that the same video footage underscored numerous negative resentments and irked the IPs, not only those residing in Baguio, but also those who trace their roots in the Cordillera.
“Cayat openly, wittingly and without any ounce of afterthought whatsoever, while arguing that the words ‘Igorot’, including ‘Tumandok’ and ‘Lumad’ are not mentioned in the 101 list of IPs in the NCIP EPANAW Coffee Table Books, emphasized that the term ‘Igorot’ is the language of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Thus, apart from sowing confusion, Cayat’s public pronouncement created a chilling-effect among the IPs in the Cordillera, particularly those using the word ‘Igorot’, as possible members of the CTGs”, said the Resolution.
The City Council, on much lesser but similar cases back in 2009, issued a resolution of persona-non-grata.
One infamous case was that of Candy Pangilinan who jokingly uttered “tao po ako hindi Igorot” which resulted in condemnation from the Igorot community of Baguio leading to her banishment.
Interestingly, those Igorot legislators in 2009 who pushed for the persona-non-grata against Candy Pangilinan namely; lawyers Jose Molintas and Fred Bagbagen are still councilors.
The persona-non-grata was later rescinded after Candy Pangilinan visited the Igorot lawmakers at the city council and asked for forgiveness.
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