ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police have put up an “indigenous people desk” throughout Western Mindanao, including Isabela City in nearby Basilan province in an effort to protect the welfare of tribesmen in the restive southern Philippine region.
Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, the regional police chief, the establishment of the indigenous people desk will be added to current human rights desk and women and children protection desk and shall be responsible for the protection and promotion of the interest and well-being of indigenous people with regards to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions.
“The establishment of IP desk is to address the various issues and concerns confronting the indigenous people and to effectively and efficiently deliver the legal and basic services they need,” he said.
Beltran said the new desk which shall be manned by indigenous officers is under the Office of Investigation and Detection Management Section.
Many indigenous groups have accused communist rebels and Muslim militants of harassing them and that scores had been killed over the past years in Mindanao. Others have complained that their cultural rights had been trampled upon or their ancestral domain had been taken away from them by illegal mining firms and loggers, or private armed groups protecting landlords. (Mindanao Examiner)
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