T’BOLI MUNICIPAL GYM, SOUTH COTABATO – A Mindanao-wide task force that will focus on addressing key concerns confronting the island-region’s indigenous peoples is set to be created.

This was bared by Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza who explained the proposed task force, which will be headed by retired Col. Allen Capuyan, who is a Manobo, will be established by virtue of an Executive Order.

Sec. Dureza said the proposal to create the said task force was presented to President Rodrigo Duterte during a recent cabinet meeting in Malacañang.

“The President emphasized the need for greater convergence among national government line agencies on IP concerns,” Sec. Dureza said in his remarks during the Sitio and Governor’s Day celebration at the provincial capitol here.

He explained this body will be tasked to consolidate IP-related issues as well as development priorities, which will then be integrated into existing governance mechanisms.

Aside from the establishment of the said task force, another executive order is being proposed that seeks to provide full recognition and protection of the IP’s rights and welfare across the country.

Sec. Dureza said all these efforts are in line with the national government’s policy agenda, which aims to create greater synergy of existing governance mechanisms, and empower the nation’s indigenous peoples.

Once approved, he expects these proposals to help address the root causes of the insurgency in the country, specifically those which impact on the ancestral domain areas of Lumads.

The peace adviser pointed out that 75 percent of the fighters recruited by communist rebels are Lumads.

“President Duterte is looking at ways in which you (Lumads) will not be forgotten,” he added.

Sec. Dureza noted that in situations of armed conflict, it is the ordinary people, particularly the village folk, who are most affected.

This is the reason why during his dialogues with the leadership of these rebel groups, he has repeatedly told them “you are only a small table.”

“The bigger peace table is the general public,” the peace adviser said.

In order to effectively address the plight of Lumads, Sec. Dureza said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has established an Indigenous People’s Peace Panel headed by Atty. Reuben Dasay Lingating.

Since its creation last year, the IP peace panel has provided a venue for stakeholders to discuss and propose policy recommendations on how to help uplift the living conditions and protect the welfare of Lumads.

Specifically, the panel has spearheaded the conduct of the Mindanao Indigenous People’s Legislative Assembly (MIPLA) which gave the island-region’s Lumads the opportunity to suggest ways to make the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) more responsive to the needs of the IPs.

More importantly, Sec. Dureza underscored the need to understand why people are waging a war against government.

“We need to first address the roots of the conflict,” he said.

“Don’t just shoot. We need to ask why they are rebelling against government,” Sec. Dureza said.

The government’s top peace negotiator called on the “enlightened” members of the indigenous community to continue to act as stewards of peace and development.

“We need to show them (insurgents) that we can live peaceful, productive lives,” Sec. Dureza said, as he lauded the T’boli people for being a positive, productive force in their communities.