CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte – July 3, 2025 — A multi-sectoral consultation was held at the headquarters of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division to tackle pressing peace and security concerns affecting Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), despite the recent passage of the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Development Act (BIPDA) of 2024.
The forum, organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), gathered key stakeholders from the security sector, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples communities to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at addressing longstanding grievances and persistent conflicts on the ground.
While the BIPDA was enacted to protect the rights of Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) in the region, challenges such as ancestral domain claims, displacement, killings, threats to property, and lack of representation in decision-making processes continue to plague many communities.
OPAPRU underscored the importance of local leaders’ involvement in ensuring that the needs and concerns of Indigenous Peoples are not only acknowledged but effectively integrated into broader peace and development strategies in the BARMM.
Major General Donald M. Gumiran, Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, expressed his support for OPAPRU’s initiative, commending Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. for spearheading the effort to create an inclusive and responsive platform for dialogue.
“This is a meaningful opportunity to address serious concerns that have long affected our Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples in the BARMM,” said Maj. Gen. Gumiran. “These include the right to ancestral domain, the killings and displacement of communities, threats to their safety and property, and their lack of representation in decisions that impact their rights, lives, and future.”
The consultation was attended by representatives from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and other peace and security institutions, alongside civil society groups and IP leaders, all committed to promoting a just, inclusive, and lasting peace in the region.
Organizers say the meeting is part of a series of efforts to bridge gaps between stakeholders, ensure the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and address root causes of conflict through peaceful and participatory means.