NCIP condemns killings of Matigsalug tribe members in Davao

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 12) — The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) denounced the spate of killings of Matigsalug tribe members in Davao City.

The NCIP made the remark during the House hearing for its 2024 budget on Monday.

During the deliberations, Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab shared that many tribe members in his jurisdiction are being killed.

He pointed to the so-called Bagani Warrior or Bagani Command as the culprit.

"May I ask if NCIP has something to do with the creation of these Bagani Warrior or Bagani Command? As reported, they were organized to protect the ancestral domain of another tribe. Nauubos na 'yung Matigsalug tribe sa atin [The Matigsalug tribe is disappearing]," the lawmaker said.

The NCIP denied any involvement and said it is willing to help in investigating the issue.

"With the report of the killings, the first action that I would do is I would appeal to my fellow commissioners...that we would come up with a resolution condemning all the killings of our – the mentioned Matigsalug members in your community," NCIP chairperson Jennifer Sibug-Las said.

Ungab said he has asked the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act on the matter.