The recent hearing of the Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives has once again brought to light the ongoing land disputes between the Indigenous Peoples (IP) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The crux of the issue revolves around the establishment of permanent MILF camps, specifically in Camp Bader and Camp Omar in Maguindanao del Sur, which, according to Supreme Tribal Chieftain Letecio Datuwata, overlap with the ancestral domain of the Teduray-Lambangian indigenous communities.
A Brewing Conflict: Ancestral Domain vs. MILF Camps
Datuwata and the Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG) have raised serious concerns about the increasing militarization of their lands. Originally, the MILF camps were intended as temporary settlements for demobilized combatants. However, these encampments have gradually evolved into established communities, fostering territorial disputes and creating a tense environment for the indigenous communities.
“Our request is to remove the camps that overlap with our ancestral domain because it creates chaos in our area because others think that is their territory,” said Datuwata. The implications of such claims are grave, as land tenure conflicts have historically been a root cause of violence in Mindanao. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has warned that this situation may lead to further displacement and bloodshed, exacerbating an already fragile peace process.
Jurisdictional Ambiguities and the Human Rights Crisis
The CHR has also encountered significant jurisdictional challenges when attempting to intervene. CHR Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa emphasized that despite efforts to conduct parallel investigations into human rights violations against IPs, their authority has been contested by the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC). This has led to legal limbo in addressing reports of displacement and killings within IP territories.
One particularly troubling development is the rapid influx of migrants into IP lands, which the CHR describes as happening at a “breakneck speed.” This mass movement threatens to further marginalize indigenous groups who have already struggled for decades to assert their land rights.
Violence Against Indigenous Leaders
The hearing also shed light on the growing number of targeted killings of non-Moro indigenous leaders. Advocacy groups such as Climate Conflict Action Asia have documented cases where indigenous leaders in areas like Barangay Biarong, Upi, Maguindanao, have been assassinated, leading to widespread fear and displacement among IP communities.
Adding to the frustration, the TJG revealed that legal and financial obstacles have hindered their pursuit of justice. Applications for the Witness Protection Program (WPP) have been rejected, and access to case reports has been denied under the pretext of data privacy. According to TJG’s Jennevie Cornelio, even when arrest warrants are issued against perpetrators, law enforcement is reluctant to act, citing that suspects are often better armed than local authorities.
Economic and Political Motivations Behind the Land Disputes
The contested lands are not just significant due to their cultural and ancestral value. They are also rich in natural resources, particularly in agriculture and potential mining sites. This economic factor raises concerns about vested interests driving the prolonged conflict. Capiral from Climate Conflict Action Asia has warned that these territories are not just a source of sustenance for indigenous groups but are also highly coveted for their economic potential.
Government Response and the Way Forward
OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has acknowledged the boundary issues and the confusion surrounding land claims. As a measure to resolve the conflict, the government has proposed the establishment of municipal task forces aimed at addressing territorial disputes and ensuring indigenous representation in discussions on MILF Camp Transformation.
However, indigenous leaders argue that these measures do not go far enough. Their primary demand remains the formal issuance of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), which would legally recognize their ownership over the contested lands. Until this is granted, IP communities fear they will continue to face encroachments, displacement, and violence.
Conclusion: A Fragile Peace at Stake
The struggle for ancestral domain recognition in BARMM underscores the delicate balance between post-conflict reintegration efforts and indigenous land rights. If left unresolved, this conflict threatens to undo years of progress in the Bangsamoro peace process. Indigenous leaders, human rights organizations, and policy-makers must work collaboratively to establish clear land demarcations, enforce protective legal measures, and ensure that peace-building initiatives do not come at the expense of indigenous communities. Only through a fair and inclusive approach can lasting peace and justice be achieved in Mindanao.
