INVESTITURE OF THE COMMANDER, 10th INFANTRY DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY (10ID, PA)
23 May 2023 || INVESTITURE OF THE COMMANDER, 10th INFANTRY DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY (10ID, PA)
The Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of Mansaka; representatives from the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL); the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization (MIPYO) and NCIP 11 RD Mamukid & the Provincial Officers paid a courtesy visit to the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (10ID, PA) in Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr., Mawab, Davao City.
The meeting paved the way for the Investiture Ceremony of MGEN ERIEL M. NIEMBRA PA as “Datu Matikadong Matigno” (meaning, “Principled Leader”). The Investiture is a customary rite of ICCs/IPs to formally recognize the Philippine Army as pertinent partners in the recognition, respect, promotion and protection of IP rights.
Bawan Jake Lanes discussed the composition of the Mindianao Quick Response Team (MQRT) highlighting the functions and responsibilites of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders (MIPCEL), Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization (MIPYO); and the Indigenous Peoples – Enlisted Personnel (IP-EP) while the NCIP Davao de Oro Provincial Officer has presented the 10ID, PA on the current burning issues currently faced by ICCs/IPs in their area of responsibility.
In response, MGen Niembra has reiterated that the 10ID, PA is conducting efforts to lessen the burden of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) for the ICCs/IPs who are interested to become part of the Philippine Army as well as to process on the extension of their services until retirement and recognized the importance of having IP-EPs. Meanwhile, MGEN NIEMBRA also expressed his concern in the area of Talaingod, Davao del Norte as the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) may opt to take advantage of the current vulnerability in the socio-economic and educational system especially the ICCs/IPs in the area. Accordingly, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao Occidental has implemented Executive Order No. 8, which restricts the trespassing of individuals in the ancestral domain without consent of the authorities as well as the ICCs/IPs.
The NCIP Chairperson congratulated MGen Niembra and the 10ID, PA and expressed his deepest recognition on the Philippine army through 10ID, PA on this established partnership to ensure lasting peace and development in the ICCs/IPs ancestral domain and ancestral lands (ADs/ALs). In recognition of the NCIP’s tireless efforts and promoting and protecting the rights of ICCs/IPs in the Philippines, the NCIP Chairperson has awarded the Epanaw Coffee Table Books (CTBs) titled “Pagkilala,” “Paggalang,” and “Pagtaguyod” to MGen Niembra and the 10ID, PA.
