United Statement of the Indigenous Molbog of Balabac
We, the indigenous Molbog of Balabac, Palawan, strongly condemn the misuse and misappropriation of our name and rights by the SAMBILOG-Balik Bugsuk Movement, claiming to represent us as the rightful heirs of ancestral lands in Bugsuk and Mariahangin.
Based on our history and culture, the Molbog people have long lived and cared for the islands and waters within Balabac. We have coexisted peacefully and harmoniously with neighboring groups, such as the Pala’wan who remain in the mountains of Palawan, and other communities from Borneo, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. This long-standing history of respect and unity is now being undermined by the deceptive actions of the SAMBILOG-Balik Bugsuk Movement.
This group, masquerading as defenders of indigenous rights, is composed of individuals who have no connection to Balabac. Most of them come from mainland Palawan, and many are not even indigenous. Their "genealogy" clearly shows they are outsiders to our land and have no rightful claim to our ancestral domain.
Furthermore, their actions reveal significant contradictions. SAMBILOG previously applied under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to obtain Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA). This act is a clear admission that the land they are claiming is private and titled, contradicting the principles of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), which is founded on the concept of ancestral ownership. Through this action, SAMBILOG willingly forfeited any right to ancestral lands.
After realizing the weakness of their position, the group rebranded itself as the Balik Bugsuk Movement. However, their return to claiming indigenous rights is misguided and legally unacceptable. Their previous actions clearly demonstrate their lack of legitimate rights to the lands they claim.
We strongly oppose the continued use of the Molbog name by the SAMBILOG-Balik Bugsuk Movement for their personal interests. They are not part of our community and have no connection to our culture and history. Instead, they are outsiders with the sole aim of acquiring land for their political agenda.
We urge the public and relevant authorities to scrutinize groups like these. Misusing the identity of being "indigenous" is a grave disrespect to our identity and to our genuine struggles for our rights to ancestral lands.
Our stance is clear: the lands and waters of Balabac belong to the true Molbog, who have long been the stewards of our ancestral domain. We will not allow our name to be exploited for the deceptive goals of illegitimate groups.
We issue this statement to protect our dignity, identity, and rights to our ancestral domain.
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