A former indigenous peoples’ (IP) party-list group nominee challenged the integrity of Sulong Katribu, accusing it of fabricating conflict with Epanaw Sambayanan to shield its own misdeeds.

“Katribu’s calculated and premeditated response against Epanaw Sambayanan is more than expected,” Datu Jomorito Goaynon said in a recent interview.

“They are aware that Epanaw Sambayanan will use the electoral platform to expose Katribu’s nefarious activities that victimize indigenous communities and ancestral domains,” he added.

Epanaw Sambayanan, a coalition of peoples' organizations advocating for lasting peace and inclusive development, especially for the poor and marginalized, and indigenous communities residing in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, is running for Congress seats in next year’s midterm elections.

Goaynon positions Epanaw Sambayanan as a crucial voice aimed at unveiling the true nature of Katribu's ambitions.

He admitted that he was initially drawn to Katribu and its affiliated organizations, believing their advocacy for indigenous peoples’ rights was sincere.

After spending time within their ranks, he was disillusioned to discover that the group's efforts were primarily focused on agitation and propaganda aimed at recruiting indigenous people for the CPP-NPA-NDF.

"I was shocked to learn that the organizations I thought were fighting for our communities were instead being used as recruitment tools for an armed struggle," Goaynon added.

IP as pawns

He said it became clear that the real purpose was not to uplift indigenous peoples but to use them as pawns in a larger ideological battle.

Goaynon, a former Kalumbay chairperson and first Sulong Katribu nominee, claimed Katribu has long manipulated the indigenous narrative for its ideological purposes.

“Katribu presents itself as the defender of indigenous peoples, but their actions speak otherwise," he said.

He added: "Their focus is not on the welfare of indigenous communities, but on furthering their political and ideological interests.”

Together with genuine leaders from Mindanao, Goaynon joins the endorsement of the Epanaw Sambayanan party-list group as a champion of the rights and interests of IPs with a clear and legitimate platform, focusing on the protection of ancestral lands and preventing exploitation from both state and non-state actors.

For decades, he said, indigenous ancestral domains have been compromised, with communist guerilla fronts and insurgent groups using them as recruitment pools and battlegrounds, harming both the land and the people.

Goaynon said Epanaw Sambayanan’s platform has garnered wide support from indigenous communities across the country.

“Hundreds of indigenous communities and thousands of individuals have expressed their support for Epanaw Sambayanan because they see it as a genuine defender of indigenous rights,” he said.

He added: “These communities understand the historical injustices they have faced and are committed to ensuring their voices are represented by a group that truly advocates for them.”

Goaynon urged the indigenous peoples and their allies to rally behind Epanaw Sambayanan, which he believes presents a legitimate and community-driven path for advancing IP rights.