Ati leaders vow to stay in Boracay’s ancestral domain

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Despite reports of non-Ati claimants’ harassment and intimidation, members of the Ati tribe vowed to stay in the 2.1 hectares ancestral domain in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

 “Masakit…ito na ngang kapiranggot na lupa, tapos kukunin pa nila…mapatay man kami,  hindi na kami aalis dito,” said Delsa Supitran Justo, Ati leader of Boracay Ati Tribe Organization (Bato).

According to Marlea Nunez, executive director of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), some private individuals and claimants continued to harass the Ati members.

“We will not take this matter sitting down,” Nunez said following the arrest of four persons by Boracay Tourist Assistance Center for illegal trespassing last week.

They were apprehended after they allegedly dumped a truckload of garbage into a mangrove swamp near the Ati property at around 9 p.m. on February 26.

Local government secretary Mar Roxas ordered the local police last week to send more policemen and to ensure the security while NCIP constructs the perimeter fence of Ati community.

“Tungkulin ng pulis na siguruhin ang kapayapaan sa nasabing lugar. Tungkulin din nila na bigyan ng proteksyon ang mahihirap na mamamayan na walang matakbuhan sa oras ng pangangailangan,” Roxas in an official statement.

On January 21, 2011, NCIP granted the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) for 40 Ati families by virtue of Indigenous Peoples Republic Act.

On April 2012, the Atis of Boracay occupied their 2.1 hectares ancestral domain in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

Tension rose after Ati spokesperson Dexter Condez sustained multiple gunshot wounds when he was shot several time while walking back to his home in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, past 8 in the evening on February 22, 2013.

In July last year, NCIP issued a a Writ of Execution to affirm the recognition of the right of Ati of Boracay Island to their ancestral domain.