MILF says Moro sub-state no threat to IP rights – Interaksyon.com.

Ria Rose Uro, special to InterAksyon.com

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines – Moro rebel negotiators assured the Subanen tribes of the Zamboanga Peninsula that a Bangsamoro sub-state resulting from successful peace negotiations with government would not be a threat to their rights over ancestral domain.

Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel, said ancestral domain as contemplated in their proposed peace pact defines a territory for self-governance.

Ancestral domain as defined in the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) refers to proprietary rights over a particular area where the tribes have a traditional historical presence, Lingga added.

The MILF negotiating panel interacted with Subanen leaders here on Wednesday as part of its ongoing series of dialogues with various sectors and stakeholders of the Mindanao peace process.

Lingga’s explanation was in response to a request by Kolibugan community leader Barahama Amil for the MILF to drop some stretches of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte in its definition of the Bangsamoro homeland in favor of the Subanen’s ancestral domain claim. Kolibugan refers to Islamized Subanen who inhabit these portions of the two provinces.

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