Mangyan group claims bogus charges filed over ancestral land row

The Mangyan-Iraya Repungpungan sa Malatabako, based in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, has publicly denounced what it characterizes as false criminal charges initiated by a property developer. The indigenous group contends the cases represent retaliation for their efforts to protect their ancestral domain from encroachment.

The dispute underscores broader tensions between indigenous communities and commercial interests over land rights in the Philippines. The Mangyan people, among the country's most marginalized indigenous groups, have long faced pressure from developers and settlers seeking to exploit resources on their traditional territories.

The group disclosed its position through a video statement, bringing attention to what members say is a pattern of harassment designed to intimidate them from asserting their land claims. Indigenous rights advocates have warned that such tactics are commonly used to suppress legitimate indigenous land defense efforts across the archipelago.

The case reflects ongoing conflicts in Mindoro, where competing claims over ancestral lands and development projects frequently clash. Authorities have not yet publicly responded to the group's allegations regarding the nature and basis of the charges filed against its members.