At least 17 persons who claimed to be members of an Indigenous People’s (IP) group were arrested for alleged illegal assembly in Passi City, Province of Iloilo. But later, firearms were seized from their possession.
The group first mounted a large tarpaulin in the vicinity of Passi City Hall on their ancestral domain claim to about 50 hectares of land where the government center and other establishments have been erected.
According to the group, the land is a "property of Baltazar Panizales, Sr., a former city official."
During the arrest, a search of the group’s vehicle was also facilitated.
Police found two 9mm pistols, a shotgun, and a bullet of a 45-caliber gun.
According to the Passi City Police, the group introduced themselves as members of National Cultural Minorities (NACUMIN) group.
“Nag-conduct tayo ng coordination, hindi ito recognized ang kanilang grupo. Binuo lang ito out of the personal interest ng ilang personalities, mayroong intent to gain, to employing deceit sa mga transaction nila. Meaning biktima rin ang mga ito,” Police Lt. Col. Benjo Clarite, chief of the Passi City Police Station, said.
In addition, the police also checked the documents shown by the group that include an alleged land title.
“Ma-determine rin natin at first glance sa dokumento, medyo hindi siya legitimate considering nga na ang source ng document, ang nag-sign doon si Datu Manhuhumay,” Lt. Col. Clarite added.
The arrested persons said that they have not raised their claim to provoke or to instigate trouble. They said they seek protection of the said land according to the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997.
“Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ang baril dahil ang sa akin, ang sa amin dito, protect the land kaya naglagay kami ng tarpaulin. Ngunit walang taong paaalisin, para ito sa lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas," said Norman Casiple, a member of the Board of Directors of NACUMIN.
The arrested persons are set to face charges for illegal possession of firearms, illegal assembly, alarm and scandal, disturbance, usurpation of real property, and usurpation of authority.
