KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Several Indigenous People (IP) leaders stormed the office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Provincial Office on Wednesday morning, October 1, 2025, denouncing alleged irregularities in the selection of Kidapawan City’s Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
The protest came a week after the installation of Datu Damaso Bayawan as the city’s new IPMR, a milestone event following years without a representative for the local Indigenous Peoples.
Carrying placards that read “Provincial NCIP bias mo disisyon” and “Hatagi pud ug pantay nga pagtagad ang tribu sa Kidapawan,” the protesters insisted that the selection process failed to follow agreed tribal procedures. They claimed that the NCIP allowed individuals who were not part of the original nominees, accusing officials of bias and unfair treatment of IP communities in North Cotabato.
One of the grievances raised involved Radin Iguas, whom they alleged was “not a true CADT holder,” and Atty. Lantion, who was accused of showing partiality in resolving IP concerns.
Despite the protests, Datu Bayawan had earlier assured unity and inclusivity in his leadership. During his installation last week, he told local officials and residents: “Ang akong kadaugan, kadaugan sa tribu” (“My victory is the victory of the tribe”).
He pledged to prioritize livelihood, education, health, and infrastructure programs for the IPs of Kidapawan, while also committing to revive the annual celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor cultural heritage. Bayawan also thanked the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the City Government of Kidapawan for passing the local IP Code, which allowed his installation.
For protesting IP leaders, however, the process remains tainted by what they described as lack of transparency and disregard for tribal consensus. They vowed to continue pressing NCIP to revisit its decision.