TWO leaders of a bogus tribal group and 19 members of the group were arrested by operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Surigao City yesterday morning.
The arrested leaders of the Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines (FTGP) were Jorgeto Corpuz Santisas, alias Datu Adlaw; and Lourdes Infante, alias Bae Lourdes.
The CIDG said they were arrested at around 6 a.m. at the FTGP compound in Purok 5, Barangay Sabang for usurpation of authority.
They were arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Surigao City judge Maureen Feliza-Chua last February 18. A P30,00 bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of each of them.
Santisas claimed that his group is the new government called “Bagong Gobyerno” and alleged that his group is operating under Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights of 1997.
The group padlocked several business establishments in Surigao City last January 24 for alleged violation of ancestral land rights. It has also put up checkpoints in the city.
The group has also been recruiting non-Lumads, charging them P1,200 in membership fees and promising them P25,000 in monthly allowance.
In an advisory issued last January 27, the National Commission on Indigenous People’s said FTGP “does not represent the legitimate ICCs/IPs (Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples).”
“It is not recognized as an Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) by the ICCs/IPs in Caraga Region or the NCIP. Its main goal is to solicit funds and favors for their personal gain under the guise of a legitimate IPO,” the NCIP said in the advisory.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said manhunt operations are ongoing against members of the organization who were also named in the warrant of arrest.
Torre said the arrest of the FTGP members shows the determination of the CIDG in apprehending all wanted persons and in upholding the rule of law.
“This successful operation reinforces CIDG’s commitment to ensuring that individuals who exploit and usurp government authority will be held accountable,” said Torre.
“Rest assured that your CIDG is relentless and steadfast in enforcing and upholding the rule of law without fear or favor,” added Torre.
