MANILA, Philippines - A former chief of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) yesterday slammed what he described as “irresponsible†statements being issued that are prejudicial to the quasi-judicial body attached to the Office of the President.
At the same time, Basilio Wandag, erstwhile NCIP executive director, defended Victor Gumisa as the “genuinely recognized leader†of the Balatoc sub-tribe in Pasil town, Kalinga province.
The statements arose as NCIP hearing officer Guillermo Kadatar issued on June 25, 2013 a temporary restraining order, followed by a writ of preliminary injunction on Sept. 9, 2013, enjoining a mining consortium to “cease and desist†from pursuing mining operations in ancestral lands in Balatoc for supposedly failing to present a free and prior informed consent of the affected cultural community, as required by law.
Wandag, in a statement, said Kadatar was merely consistent with the NCIP mandate to protect the welfare of indigenous people.
Wandag said Gumisa was the Balatoc community-appointed and NCIP-mandated leader.