CARAGA, Davao Oriental — The Army’s 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) rolled out its peace volunteers program in the ancestral domain area of this town to strengthen the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the so-called mobility corridors of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The Peace Volunteers Training and Seminar is a five-day training for the IPs to become defenders of their ancestral land against lawless groups, criminals and even help fight against drug abuse and terrorism.
This is to strengthen the barangay structure and functionalities, including the traditional political structure of the IPs, said Lt. Col. Jake Obligado, the commander of the 67th IB based in Baganga, Davao Oriental.
Obligado underscored the importance of a stronger government and local governance to keep away lawless elements from vulnerable communities, especially in IP areas.
“I believe that if there is weak governance the enemies are strong,” Obligado said in an interview Sunday.
The 67th IB as trailblazer of the Peace Volunteers has seen significant results since it started the program last year in the Mandaya communities in Lingig, Agusan del Sur.
This was followed in Boston and Biston, Dava Oriental. “And, we are counting for more. A lot of barangays requested for the activity,” Obligado said.
Obligado bared his area of responsibility has not recorded NPA atrocities since July last year.
Also, there has been an 80 percent reduction in the strength of the NPA from about 290 to less than a hundred.
“The reduction was the immediate effect,” Obligado said, noting that the support of the local government officials and the tribal council led to the success of the program.
So far, Obligado said there are already 700 IPs who had trained under the program.
On Saturday, 150 members of the Mandaya tribe completed the five-day training in far-away Sitio Batiano in Barangay San Pedro, Caraga.
They came from 13 areas of Caraga town.
Peace Volunteer Dominador Malintad, who was among the 150 graduates on Saturday, lauded the 67th IB for giving priority to the IPs.
He thanked the Army and the provincial and municipal government for giving the IPs the opportunity to avail of the training.
The training covers the development of livelihood program, which are within the ancestral domain; government in action showcasing the services of government agencies and the LGU; empowering the IPs through training as first responders in disasters, how to safely secure their communities, make a plan and how to deploy themselves; and, how to be good citizens.
He emphasized volunteerism as an ownership of their (IPs) plan.
It is part of the peace and development plan of the government.
Obligado clarified that the IP volunteers are armed, but their arms are not provided by the Army.
He recalled that tribes were armed with bows and arrows and spears even in early years because these are used to hunt and to defend their communities against enemies and animals.
With the evolution of the communities the tribes acquired low-powered firearms.
But, Obligado said they cannot bring their firearms outside of their ancestral domain or use it for crimes.
Asked if the IPs are allowed to have firearms, Obligado said the IPs have the right to govern their communities.
Asked how they acquired the firearms, Obligado said it depends on the creativity of the tribes.
Obligado further clarified that the Peace Volunteers program is not about interfering into their customary laws but empowering them.
He said there are three spheres that were considered and respected: the bagani who are the defenders of the ancestral domain; the tribal council of leaders; and the Babaylan, who are the religious leaders.
Obligado stressed that rebel surrenderers are not included in the program but only IPs, who are vulnerable to deception, recruitment into the communist struggle, and harassment. The NPA surrenderers have separate, program, he said.
Obligado cited a study conducted in 2004, 2011 and 2015 why most IPs were pushed into joining the NPA.
The study, he said, showed that three out of four NPA rebels are IPs. Most of them finished only Grade three because schools are not accessible.
Those who reached the age of 16 are forced to engage in farming. This is also the average age of entry to the NPA.
Obligado said it is a challenge for government to improve roads in remote areas so that education is made accessible and to improve the delivery of basic services like health.
Obligado said the Peace Volunteers is a showcase of unity of the IPs, the police, the LGU led by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The 67th IB covers the east coast municipalities of Boston, Caraga and Baganga, part of Mati, Davao Oriental and Lingig, and Trento, Agusan del Sur. These are also the areas where the NPA’s Section Committee 20 and 15, the Front Committee 25 and one Pulang Bagani Command, which has reduced to a skeletal force. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
