SURSUR IP LEADERS DECLARE BAYAN MUNA SOLON ‘PERSONA NON-GRATA’

The leaders of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) members of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders (MIPCEL)-Surigao del Sur Chapter condemn Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Eufemia Cullamat for her erroneous statements in the Congress recently and intends to impose a punishment on her.

Provincial IPMR Datu Jimmy Guinsod “The legitimate tribal leaders of Surigao del Sur strongly denounce and condemn Rep. Cullamat of Bayan Muna,” said Datu Rico Maca, IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of San Miguel town.

During the meeting and press briefing on Sunday, September 19, at the Provincial Capitol Grounds attended by tribal leaders, National Task Force- End Local Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) spokesperson and Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) USec Lorraine Badoy and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chairperson and provincial governor Alexander Pimentel, Datu Maca said that the statement of Rep. Cullamat has negative implications on the indigenous peoples and on the entire indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) in Surigao del Sur. A resolution was presented by Provincial IPMR Datu Jimmy Guinsod on their declaration of the Persona Non-Grata and imposing a “boney” or punishment against Cullamat for violating the customs and traditions and misrepresenting the IP cultural communities in the province. Tribal leaders comprising the council signed the resolution.

Meanwhile, the provincial government will be providing P500, 000-worth livelihood assistance to communities greatly affected by the insurgency, as announced by Governor Pimentel during the event. (NGPB/PIASurigao del Sur)