OPISINA HA GILING (OFFICE OF THE GRAND CHIEF)

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MANDATORY REPRESENTATIVE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (DND)

Pursuant to Section 16 of R.A. 8371 “Right to Participate in Decision-Making. — ICCs/IPs have the right to participate fully,
if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies through
procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures.
Consequently, the State shall ensure that the ICCs/IPs shall be given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies
and other local legislative councils. ”
and DILG Memorandum Circular 2002-89 dated June 06, 2002 entitled “Strict Implementation of Republic Act No. 8371 or the
Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997 (IPRA).

IPMR-DND MEMORANDUM
MC-006 25 Dagangbuan (March) 2024

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN

THEIR DISTINCT “ECONOMIC” AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS…
THE STATE MUST RESPECT AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS
CULTURAL COMMUNITIES (ICCs)/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (IPs) WHO ARE STREET
VENDING THEIR INDIGENOUS WARES, PRODUCTS, HERBAL MEDICINE OIL,
ESSENTIAL OILS, HERBAL MEDICINES,VITAL MEDICINAL PLANTS, ETC.
IN METROPOLITAN CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES AND BARANGAYS.

TO: ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AGENCIES, ALL MEMBERS OF THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP)
AND OTHER PARAMILITARY UNITS, ALL PRIVATE ENTITIES AND TO ALL
CONCERNED

1. Our apologies for storming the state Political Government with Indigenous
Issues. This is for the survival of ICCs/IPs, the differentiated
societies/marginalized sector of society in the State in which they live due
to extreme poverty affected the most because of climate change,
earthquakes, heavy floods, drought as majority of ICCs/IPs are farmers and
fishermen.

2. To reiterate the special laws for ICCs / IPs; the rights of ICCs/IPs must be
considered in the formulation of national plans and policies for the fullest
conformity of the International Treaties especially that the 1987 Philippines
Constitution economic provisions will be changed again.

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What are these treaties?

a.) International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was signed
and ratified by the Philippine Government on December 19, 1966 and on June 7, 1974
respectively.

b.) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was signed and ratified by
the Philippine Government on December 19, 1966 and on October 23, 1986
respectively.

c.) International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 107, “Indigenous and Tribal
Populations Convention of 1957”, dated June 26, 1957

d.) International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169, an “ Indigenous and
Tribal Peoples Convention of 1989” dated June 27, 1989.

e.) United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) adopted
September 13, 2007.

3. The provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution with respect to the rights of
Indigenous Peoples were derived from these International Treaties that were
honed in years and decades of studies and conventions. Consequently, the Republic
Act No. 8371 “The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997” was enacted,
which was highly influenced by UN-ILO Convention 169 of 1989.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Article 5
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal,
economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their rights to participate fully, if they
so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State. [Emphasis supplied]

Article 37
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the recognition, observance and enforcement of
Treaties, Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements concluded with States or their
successors and to have States honour and respect such Treaties, Agreements and other
Constructive Arrangements. [Emphasis supplied]

1987 Philippine Constitution

Article XIV, SECTION 17

The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to
preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall consider these rights in
the formulation of national plans and policies. [Emphasis supplied]

R.A. 8371 “The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997”

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policies. — The State shall recognize and promote all the rights
of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) hereunder enumerated within
the framework of the Constitution:

f) The State recognizes its obligations to respond to the strong expression of the ICCs/IPs for
cultural integrity by assuring maximum ICC/IP participation in the direction of education, health,
as well as other services of ICCs/IPs, in order to render such services more responsive to the
needs and desires of these communities.

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Right to Self-Governance and Empowerment

SECTION 13. Self-Governance. — The State recognizes the inherent right of ICCs/IPs to self-
governance and self-determination and respects the integrity of their values, practices and
institutions. Consequently, the State shall guarantee the right of ICCs/IPs to freely pursue their
economic, social and cultural development.

SECTION 14. Support for Autonomous Regions. — The State shall continue to strengthen and
support the autonomous regions created under the Constitution as they may require or need.
The State shall likewise encourage other ICCs/IPs not included or outside Muslim Mindanao and
the Cordilleras to use the form and content of their ways of life as may be compatible with the
fundamental rights defined in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and other
internationally recognized human rights.

SECTION 15. Justice System, Conflict Resolution Institutions, and Peace Building Processes. —
The ICCs/IPs shall have the right to use their own commonly accepted justice systems, conflict
resolution institutions, peace building processes or mechanisms and other customary laws and
practices within their respective communities and as may be compatible with the national legal
system and with internationally recognized human rights.

SECTION 16. Right to Participate in Decision-Making. — ICCs/IPs have the right to participate
fully, if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights,
lives and destinies through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop
their own indigenous political structures. Consequently, the State shall ensure that the ICCs/IPs
shall be given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative
councils.

SECTION 17. Right to Determine and Decide Priorities for Development. — The ICCs/IPs shall
have the right to determine and decide their own priorities for development affecting their lives,
beliefs, institutions, spiritual well-being, and the lands they own, occupy or use. They shall
participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies, plans and programs
for national, regional and local development which may directly affect them.

SECTION 18. Tribal Barangays. — The ICCs/IPs living in contiguous areas or communities where
they form the predominant population but which are located in municipalities, provinces or cities
where they do not constitute the majority of the population, may form or constitute a separate
barangay in accordance with the Local Government Code on the creation of tribal barangays.

SECTION 19. Role of Peoples Organizations. — The State shall recognize and respect the role of
independent ICCs/IPs organizations to enable the ICCs/IPs to pursue and protect their legitimate
and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.

SECTION 20. Means for Development/Empowerment of ICCs/IPs. — The Government shall

establish the means for the full development/empowerment of the ICCs/IPs own institutions and
initiatives and, where necessary, provide the resources needed therefor.

SECTION 34. Right to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices and to Develop own
Sciences and Technologies. — ICCs/IPs are entitled to the recognition of the full ownership and
control and protection of their cultural and intellectual rights. xxx
the right to special measures to control, develop and protect their sciences, technologies and
cultural manifestations, xxx xxx traditional medicines and health practices, vital medicinal
plants, animals and minerals, indigenous knowledge systems and practices xxx xxx

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R.A. No. 8423-Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997

SECTION 4

(d) "Alternative health care modalities" –

xxx xxx alternative health care modalities include reflexology, acupressure, chiropractics,
nutritional therapy, and other similar methods.

(h) "Traditional healers" - the relatively old, highly respected people with a profound
knowledge of traditional remedies.

(i) "Intellectual property rights" - is the legal basis by which the indigenous
communities exercise their rights to have access to, protect, control over their cultural
knowledge and product, including, but not limited to, traditional medicines, and
includes the right to receive compensation for it.

R.A. 9851- “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law,

Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity”.

[Republic Act No. 9851 applies, the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines (RPC) is set
aside due to Geneva Convention of 1949.]

Section 2, para (b)

The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for
human rights, including the rights of indigenous cultural communities

[“Indigenous Peoples are under Customary Laws, not under the Civil Political laws”
Imprisonment of Indigenous Peoples is a crime against humanity]

As emphasized in the opinion of Justice Puno, for GR No. 135385, Isagani Cruz et al
vs Secretary DENR et al,

“Dispute involving ICCs/IPs are to be resolved under customary laws and

practices…when still unresolved, the matter maybe brought to the NCIP, which is
granted quasi-judicial powers”….

In the book of Henry William Scott entitled “Barangay 16th Century Philippine Culture
and Society” emphasized customary laws. On page 139,

“A Datu acted as Judge (Hukom) in both civil claims and criminal cases...There were no
sentences like imprisonment or deportation which would take labor out of production;
rather, punishments realigned labor forces within the [tribal] community...” [emphasis
supplied]

Precisely, the United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 169
dated June 27, 1989 "Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 1989 (No. 169) Article 10
para 2 states,

"Preference shall be given to methods of punishment other than confinement in prison."

[Emphasis supplied]

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R.A. No. 9745-“Anti-torture Act of 2009”

IMPRISONMENT of Indigenous Peoples is an Act of Torture. ICCs/IPs are under

Customary Laws. In both Civil claims and criminal cases “BLOOD MONEY” is used to repay
damages….There were no sentences like imprisonment or deportation which would take
labor out of production within the Tribal Community. Some ICCs/IPs are going extinct like
endangered species.

Indigenous Peoples had suffered in the past gross and systematic violations of their human
rights, their economy through their initiatives, and those violations have ongoing
consequences in the present day that continue to affect their survival and well-being.
Without adequate truth and remedy processes, it will be difficult to ensure sustainable
relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the State Government within which they live
based on trust, mutual respect and partnership. The fulfillment of IPs rights should not
portray as a cost as this would result in benefits for the country as a whole.

According to Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of

Indigenous Peoples, Geneva, 18 September 2019,

“Indigenous Peoples’ right to develop their economy through their own initiatives and
maintain their own Juridical System which govern their everyday life is essential for their
right to Self-determination and autonomy (self-governance) and in order to ensure that
their rights collective and individual rights are realized. The United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (which the Philippine Government is a signatory
nation) specifically asserts the right of Indigenous Peoples to maintain and strengthen
their political, legal, ECONOMIC, social and cultural institutions (UNDRIP, Article 5) and
to promote, develop and maintain their institutional structures, including their juridical
systems or customs in accordance with international human rights standards (UNDRIP,
Article 34)

International human rights standards recognize the right of Indigenous Peoples to

maintain and develop their OWN ECONOMY , legal systems and institutions.
Furthermore, strengthened support for Indigenous Justice Systems is key to promote
effective, accountable and inclusive institutions in a manner consistent with human rights,
as set out in the United Nations Sustainable Goal 16. <Rule of Law means sound economy>

A general characteristics of Indigenous economy that is fundamentally different from the

State Government style, is that their sources of management/style commonly do not
derive from State laws and Republic Acts, but rather from Indigenous Peoples’ oral
histories, spiritual and cultural values and traditions, family or clan relations and
expertise, and their close relationships with their traditional lands….customary practices
and usage of their wares are an integral part of everyday life and play a key role for the
development of their economy, land problems, natural resource management and the
protection of the environment and mother nature earth to include spiritual realm.

State should recognize the “DYNAMIC CHARACTER OF INDIGENOUS ECONOMY” for

sustainability and the ability of Indigenous Justice Systems in resolving problems within
the tribal community, to adapt to contemporary situations and evolve. Supporting
Traditional Elders and Customary Chiefs for positive changes within local systems while
maintaining their integrity is the most successful and sustainable approach.

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States should explore the interaction and the need for harmonization between ordinary
system economics and Indigenous economy. States should explicitly recognize, in
CONSTITUTIONAL ECONOMIC PROVISIONS or other legal provisions, the right of
Indigenous Peoples to maintain and operate their own economy, taxation and institutions.

The State Political Civil Government must respect and protect the rights of ICCs/IPs to
maintain and strengthen their political, legal, ECONOMIC, social and cultural institutions.

All members of the Civil Political Government must conduct consultations with Indigenous
Traditional Elders and Customary Chiefs and Cultural Communities should be undertaken in
order to better understand their system of economy and customary laws, and to
subsequently design, jointly with Indigenous representatives, engagement strategies, so
that customary laws and practices are not supplanted1 by State laws or actions, to achieve
peace, harmony and development.

Please be guided that ICCs/IPs are under Customary Laws and International Laws
(National Council of American Indians [NCAI])

Again, we reiterate, with the above mentioned domestic laws and international
treaties, please be reminded and hear us with the Article XIV, section 17 of 1987
Philippine Constitution

“The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural
communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions.
It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.”
[Emphasis supplied]

Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination through autonomy or self-government, which is

linked to the main aspect of our history and our existence as differentiated societies,
is explicitly provided by the laws mentioned above.

IGNORANCE OF THE LAW EXCUSES NO ONE.

R.A. 8371, SECTION 72. Punishable Acts and Applicable Penalties.

“Any person who commits violation of any of the provisions of this Act, such as, but not limited to,
unauthorized and/or unlawful intrusion upon any ancestral lands or domains as stated in Sec. 10,
Chapter III, or shall commit any of the prohibited acts mentioned in Sections 21 and 24, Chapter V,
Section 33, Chapter VI hereof, shall be punished in accordance with the customary laws of the
ICCs/IPs concerned: Provided, That no such penalty shall be cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment: Provided, further, That neither shall the death penalty or excessive fines be imposed.
This provision shall be without prejudice to the right of any ICCs/IPs to avail of the protection of
existing laws. In which case, any person who violates any provision of this Act shall, upon
conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less than nine (9) months but not more than

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IRR of RA 8371, Rule IV, Part 1, Section 1, para (b)- “The Indigenous structures systems and institutions are not
supplanted by other forms of non-indigenous governance…”

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twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) nor more
than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) or both such fine and imprisonment upon the
discretion of the court. In addition, he shall be obliged to pay to the ICCs/IPs concerned
whatever damage may have been suffered by the latter as a consequence of the unlawful
act.”[Emphasis supplied]

R.A. 8371, section 73-Persons Subject to Punishment.

“If the offender is a juridical person, all officers such as, but not limited to, its president,
manager, or head of office responsible for their unlawful act shall be criminally liable therefor, in
addition to the cancellation of certificates of their registration and/or license:
Provided, That if the offender is a public official, the penalty shall include perpetual
disqualification to hold public office.” [Emphasis supplied]

R.A. 9851-Penal Provisions

SEC. 7. Penalties. – Any person found guilty of committing any of the acts provided under Sections
4, 5 and 6 of this Act shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal in its medium to maximum
period and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) to Five hundred
thousand pesos (Php500,000.00).

When justified by the extreme gravity of the crime, especially where the commission of any of the
crimes specified herein results in death or serious physical injury, or constitutes rape, and
considering the individual circumstances of the accused, the penalty of reclusion perpetua and a
fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) to One million pesos
(Phpl,000,000.00) shall be imposed.

In addition, the court shall order the forfeiture of proceeds, property and assets derived, directly
or indirectly, from that crime, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third (3rd) parties. The
court shall also impose the corresponding accessory penalties under the Revised Penal Code,
especially where the offender is a public officer.

R.A. 9745-Penalties

Section 14. Penalties. - (a) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon the
perpetrators of the following acts:

(1) Torture resulting in the death of any person;

(2) Torture resulting in mutilation;

(3) Torture with rape;

(4) Torture with other forms of sexual abuse and, in consequence of torture, the victim shall have
become insane, imbecile, impotent, blind or maimed for life; and

(5) Torture committed against children.

(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal shall be imposed on those who commit any act of
mental/psychological torture resulting in insanity, complete or partial amnesia, fear of becoming
insane or suicidal tendencies of the victim due to guilt, worthlessness or shame.

(c) The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed on those who commit any act of torture
resulting in psychological, mental and emotional harm other than those described 1n paragraph
(b) of this section. '

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 (d) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium and maximum periods shall be imposed if, in
consequence of torture, the victim shall have lost the power of speech or the power to hear or to
smell; or shall have lost an eye, a hand, a foot, an arm or a leg; or shall have lost the use of any
such member; Or shall have become permanently incapacitated for labor.

(e) The penalty of prison mayor in its minimum and medium periods shall be imposed if, in
consequence of torture, the victim shall have become deformed or shall have lost any part of
his/her body other than those aforecited, or shall have lost the use thereof, or shall have been ill
or incapacitated for labor for a period of more than ninety (90) days.

(f) The penalty of prison correccional in its maximum period to prision mayor in its minimum
period shall be imposed if, in consequence of torture, the victim shall have been ill or
incapacitated for labor for more than thirty (30) days but not more than ninety (90) days.

(g) The penalty of prison correccional in its minimum and medium period shall be imposed if, in
consequence of torture, the victim shall have been ill or incapacitated for labor for thirty (30) days
or less.

(h) The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed for acts constituting cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment as defined in Section 5 of this Act.

(i) The penalty of prison correccional shall be imposed upon those who establish, operate and
maintain secret detention places and/or effect or cause to effect solitary confinement,
incommunicado or other similar forms of prohibited detention as provided in Section 7 of this Act
where torture may be carried out with impunity.

(j) The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon the responsible officers or personnel of the
AFP, the PNP and other law enforcement agencies for failure to perform his/her duty to maintain,
submit or make available to the public an updated list of detention centers and facilities with the
corresponding data on the prisoners or detainees incarcerated or detained therein, pursuant to
Section 7 of this Act.

For widest information, dissemination, and implementation.

PARA SA BAGONG PILIPINAS !

HA DATU TAWAHIG-KETUA
(Engr. Roderick D. Sumatra, EE, ME, GSC)
Philippine Air Force GSC Class Nr. 8
Apo Amay (Grand Chief) and Vicegerent,
SCODA Tribal Confederacy
Tribal Government of MAISIA (Philippines)
IPMR*, Department of National Defense
effective November 26, 2016.

ADDRESS
Visayas Wide: 0214 Nivel Hills, Busay, Cebu City
09321124238
Mindanao Wide: Katipunan, Villanueva, Misamis Or.
0921 760 1964
Email address: scoda_holywarriors@yahoo.com

*IPMR-Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative per R.A. 8371, Section 16 and Department of the

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Interior and Local Government (DILG), Memorandum Circular No. 2002-89 dated June 6, 2002 issued by
Acting Secretary Alipio Fernandez Jr., with the subject; Strict Implementation of Republic Act No. 8371 or
the Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997 (IPRA).

“Likewise, all DILG Regional and Field Officers shall cause the widest dissemination of this Circular and
provide assistance to concerned Local government units with their respective jurisdictions. Monitoring
reports on LGU compliance hereof shall reflect specific LGU activities undertaken to respond to and
implement the IPRA and this Circular, and shall be submitted to this level attention: Bureau of Local
Government Development, every end of each month starting June 2002, for prompt monthly reporting to
the Office of the President as instructed.

For strict compliance. ”

IPMR-DND is a consultant to Ancestral Domains on matters with regards to policy making body of DND that
may affect the lives, way of life, and destinies of ICCs/IPs.

-is an institution chosen by the IPs to participate and issue corresponding memorandum in case the
treaties (ICESCR, ICCPR, UN ILO Convention 169 and UNDRIP) are threatened from time to time or when
it is supplanted by State Laws or actions.

Copy furnished:

1. H.E. Ferdinand “Bong bong” Marcos, Jr.

President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace, Manila

2. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri

Senate President, Republic of the Philippines

3. Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez

House Speaker, House of Representatives

4. Hon. Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Secretary, Department of National Defense

5. Honorable Benjamin "Benhur" C. Abalos, Jr.,

Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government

6. Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr.

Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

7. PGen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil

Chief, Philippine National Police

8. Hon. Senator Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla

Chairperson, Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs

9. Hon. Boi Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las

Chairperson, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)

10. H.E. AHOD “AL HAJ MURAD” B. EBRAHIM

Chief Minister, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
56WV+VXH, Cotabato City, Maguindanao

11. Hon. Teodoro Herbosa

Secretary, Department of Health

12. Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Secretary, Department of Agriculture (DA)

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ABOUT US

The collective struggle of the different Ethnic Groups and Tribal leaders for
cultural identity can be traced back from the time of the Former President
Diosdado Macapagal, who created a Commission on National Integration (CNI)
headed by Sultan Deron Samporna, whose task is to integrate all the different
ethnic groups into the mainstream of society, in response to the United Nations
International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 107 of 1957 dated June 26,
1957 “The Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention of 1957”.

When President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. issued the Presidential Decree 1414 on
June 9, 1978 creating the Presidential Assistant on National Minorities
(PANAMIN) in order to consolidate all the different ethnic groups in the
Philippines, several Datus, Timuays, Rajahs of Visayas and Mindanao organized
the Supreme Council of Datus-GIPOLON, whose task was to participate actively
in the socio-economic development program and peace and order campaign of
the government. Our tribal people penetrated into the different hinterland
barangays of Visayas and Mindanao to bring the cultural people closer to the
government without any remuneration, consolidating them and teaching them on
spiritual upliftment, moral values, medical mission by using herbal medicine (now
R.A. 8423-“The Alternative Medicine Act <TAMA> of 1997), modern agriculture,
diversified farming and fishing. Most of all on the preservation of mother nature
earth.

Under Executive Order 122-C of former President Corazon Aquino, the PANAMIN
was abolished and changed to Office for Muslim Affairs-Cultural
Communities(OMA-CC) and later on became the Office for Northern Cultural
Communities(ONCC) and the Office for Southern Cultural Communities(OSCC).

The United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 107 of

1957 that promotes INTEGRATION of the Tribal People to the mainstream of
society was revised through the UN International Labour Organization (ILO)
Convention 169 of 1989 that promotes PRESERVATION-recognizing the
aspirations of Tribal peoples to exercise control over their own institutions, ways
of life and economic development and to maintain and develop their identities,
languages and religions, within the framework of the States in which they live.

We became more visible upon the creation of OSCC of 1987 and the passing of
the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169 of 1989. The
Supreme Council of Datus-Alimaong was accredited by the OSCC on July 4,
1997.

Former President Fidel Ramos signed the RA 8371 known as the “Indigenous
Peoples Rights Act of 1997(IPRA)”, merging the ONCC and OSCC and became
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). The Supreme Council of
Datus-Alimaong was accredited by the NCIP on August 3, 1998.

THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF DATUS-ALIMAONG known as the Citizens’ Soldiers

of the Cultural Communities was reformed from the Supreme Council of Datus-
GIPOLON, to continue the task in aid to the government. It is a confederacy of
the different tribes of the archipelago. Its mandate is to protect, preserve and
develop our ancestral domains, culture, tradition and institution. Being the
protector of our cultural people, we also participate actively in the socio-
economic and peace and order campaign of the government.

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During Martial Law years, the Alimaongs had participated in OPLAN White Dove,
under Task Force Kaunlaran, IV PC ZONE. To this day, these tribal warriors had
participated in the various military campaigns such as Operations Plan (OPLAN)
Lambat Bitag, PNP OPLAN PAGLINGAP, PARTICIPATED IN THE JOINT TASK
FORCE “COMET” to address the problem of ABBU SAYYAF and AFP ISO PLAN 02-
01 “Bantay Laya” and “Balagai”.

On December 18, 2019 the Supreme Council of Datus-Alimaong [SCODA]

Tribal Confederacy Tribal Government of Maisia (Philippines) was
recognized as the CENTER OF DEVELOPMENT–TRIBAL AFFAIRS
DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE with Recognition Number:036-
30CDRADSJ/12-2019 through the Treaty Recognition and Diplomatic
Accreditations from UN International Special Court of Arbitration and Human
Rights (ISCAHR) Inter Governmental Court-registered with UN-ECOSOC and
Licensed Treaty-Organizations with United Nations Organization (ONU), UN
Diplomatic Corps, European Union (Quality Assurances), Government of
Commonwealth and International Court of Arbitration.

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