Mindanao tribesmen seek Sen. Padilla’s help for ancestral domain recognition

LEADERS of the indigenous Teduray and Lambangian people from Mindanao have sought the help of Senator Robinhood Padilla to look into the 26-year delay of their much-awaited ancestral domain recognition.

In a courtesy call facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples on Monday, December 12, a delegation of the Teduray Lambangian Ancestral Domain Claim (TLADC) met with Padilla, currently the chairman of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs to complain about how the alleged denial of their claim to their ancestral domain had displaced their peoples and relegated them to live in hazardous areas.

This became evident when the recent onslaught of typhoon “Paeng” caused deadly landslides, according to the leaders of the Teduray and Lambangian people.

“We thank Sen. Padilla for the productive conversation on the status of the Teduray and Lambangian peoples’ ancestral domain claim, and the issues and concerns at ground zero. The protection of our lands, lives, and livelihoods are crucial for our pathway towards genuine sustainable development and climate resilience,” Timuay Alim Bandara, head claimant of TLADC, said in a statement.

Data from the Task Force Barat, a formation of Teduray, Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo peoples responding to the crises left by Paeng, revealed that a total of 2,025 families from their tribes were affected, resulting in 46 dead and 6 others missing.

The issuance of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) for the Teduray and Lambangian has been denied for more than two and a half decades, they told Padilla. The latest snag is a resolution by the Bangsamoro Parliament issuing a cease and desist order to the CADT application process as part of the complexities of the Bangsamoro transition.

For its part, the legal, research, and policy institution Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) urged the Senate to push through with a special investigation in aid of legislation.

“We urge our honorable lawmakers to probe into the persisting delays of CADT issuance for the Teduray and Lambangian people with the aim of fast tracking the process. This is a right ensured under IPRA [Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997],” Atty. Ryan Roset, Direct Legal Services Coordinator of LRC, said.