Tensions ease as tribe defends ancestral land amid legal dispute

 By Jessa M. Cleopas

QUEZON, Bukidnon (PIA)--Tensions flared in Sitio Kianteg, Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon, as nearly 500 members of the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe gathered on October 21 to forcibly enter the guarded gates of a pineapple plantation managed by Kianteg Development Corporation (KDC).

Tribal chieftain Datu Rolando Anglao said they had been fighting quietly for the land they once called home. He said that for over 15 years, his community has watched from the sidelines. The land that once sustained their ancestors was under a lease agreement between the KDC and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The tribe's situation, he said, worsened as they settled in shacks and tents along highways, vulnerable to accidents and harsh conditions. He said that the promise of their ancestral land seemed to fade, so they are now pushing to take it back.  

Speaking with a sense of urgency, Datu Anglao makes a heartfelt appeal to those in power.

Manobo-Pulangiyon tribal members gather outside Kianteg Development Corporation’s pineapple plantation in Quezon, Bukidnon, urging concerned government agencies to assist them with their plea to take back their claimed ancestral land (Photo: JMC/PIA 10/Bukidnon)

“Sa tanan ahensya sa gobyerno, nanghina-ot kami nga inyong hatagan ug pagtagad ang among gamay nga hangyo sa paghaw-as dinhi sa kilid sa kadalanan aron malikayan ang disgrasya ug makabalhin na kami sa among yutang kabilin. Wala kami nangitag kagubot dinhi. Ang amo lang nga matabangan mi ninyo sa  dugay na namong gihangyo," the chieftain said.

(We urge all government agencies to address our request to clear the area beside the road to help prevent accidents and allow us to access our ancestral land. We do not want trouble. We ask for your assistance with this long-standing plea).

The KDC currently manages the disputed 1,000-hectare pineapple plantation, previously under a Forest Land Grazing Management Agreement (FLGMA) issued by the DENR. This agreement allows qualified individuals, associations, or corporations to develop, manage, and utilize grazing lands in partnership with the government.

The lease, however, expired in 2018. KDC has since appealed to the Supreme Court to resolve the issue.

Representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the media, concerned line agencies, and civil society organizations attended the gathering. The agencies played key roles in maintaining peace during the event, preventing a potentially volatile situation from escalating.

Earlier, the tribal chieftain reportedly threatened to forcibly enter KDC's guarded gates, prompting authorities to brace for a standoff. However, the intervention of these agencies helped diffuse tensions and ensured a peaceful outcome.

As tensions grew between the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe and the current occupants of their ancestral land, the community gathered in the hope of finding a peaceful solution. The tribe's push to reclaim the land had caught the attention of local authorities and human rights groups, including the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Raymundo Cajes, from CHR-10, spoke to the tribe members, emphasizing the importance of pursuing their claims through legal channels rather than resorting to actions that could jeopardize their case.  

“The Commission on Human Rights is monitoring the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe as they enter the Kianteg Development Corporation area. We hope to prevent any human rights violations," he said.

The NCIP echoed this stance, assuring the tribe that their agency is committed to safeguarding Indigenous rights and supporting the pursuit of just and lawful land reclamation.  

Fundador Binahon Jr., NCIP-10 regional director, engaged with the tribal leaders to de-escalate the situation and encouraged continued dialogue. 

"The NCIP does not tolerate any form of violence or abuse against IPs, as well as any Filipino citizen. We emphasize the need to adhere to the rule of law at all times to ensure peace and protection of all parties and stakeholders involved in the dispute, which CADT application was already approved by the Commission En Banc," Binahon said.

PNP Bukidnon Provincial Director Jovit Culaway said police and AFP troops were on standby to ensure safety around the KDC plantation. The security forces adopted a non-confrontational approach, reminding land claimants about the consequences of illegal entry and assuring them that authorities would handle the issue.

"We are here to protect the community and ensure that everyone involved respects the rule of law," he said.

The Quezon local government also released a statement advising the Manobo-Pulangiyon to respect the ongoing legal process. It urged the land claimants to wait for the Supreme Court's decision on KDC's appeal, reminding them that any unauthorized entry into the plantation would be considered illegal.

Security forces led by PNP Bukidnon Provincial Director Jovit Culaway (8th from right), Lt. Col. Gilbert Gomez, and government agency officers assure the IP land claimants that authorities would handle the issue and respect cultural heritage while upholding the rule of law. (Photo: JMC/PIA 10/Bukidnon)

Lt. Col. Gilbert Gomez, commander of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, said the soldiers remain firm in their commitment to support the PNP.

“Our troops are ready to assist whenever needed. We will work closely with the PNP to ensure everyone's safety and uphold the law," he said.  

Despite the initial tensions, cooler heads prevailed as tribal leaders ultimately heeded the advice of authorities. No attempts breached the plantation’s guarded gates, and the gathering ended peacefully.

The Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe continues to hope for the return of their ancestral land and remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice.

As legal proceedings continue, the involved agencies pledged ongoing support to ensure the safety and rights of all parties. The case underscores the broader issue of indigenous land rights, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that respects cultural heritage while upholding the rule of law. (JMC/PIA-10/Bukidnon)