The Molbog indigenous peoples of Balabac, Palawan strongly denounced the SAMBILOG-Balik Bugsuk Movement for misrepresenting themselves as legitimate indigenous claimants to the lands of Bugsuk and Mariahangin.

In a joint statement issued by the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) of Balabac and its barangays, the Molbog leaders asserted their rightful place as the ancestral custodians of these territories while exposing the group’s questionable origins and motives.  

SAMBILOG, which later rebranded itself as the Balik Bugsuk Movement, is accused of being composed of individuals not native to Balabac, with many members hailing from mainland Palawan. According to the communique, these individuals have no genealogical ties to the land and include non-indigenous members using the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) to advance personal and political interests. The Molbog leadership emphasized that their attempts to claim ancestral lands under the guise of indigeneity were misleading and without basis.  

Historically, the Molbogs have lived and thrived in Balabac’s islands and surrounding seas, coexisting peacefully with neighboring groups such as the Pala’wans of mainland Palawan and various ethnic communities from Borneo, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. These territorial distinctions, respected for generations, have been disrupted by what the Molbog leaders described as the “weaponization” of IPRA. They contend that SAMBILOG’s actions undermine long-established cultural and territorial boundaries by creating unwarranted conflicts to serve the group’s agenda.  

Their contradictory actions compound the controversy surrounding SAMBILOG’s legitimacy. The group had previously applied for Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) under the government’s agrarian reform program, effectively acknowledging the land as private and titled. This move directly contradicts the legal premise that IPRA requires to claim ancestral domains, which must be based on customary ownership. By applying for CLOAs, SAMBILOG relinquished any claim to ancestral rights.  

To regain footing, the group rebranded itself as the Balik Bugsuk Movement, returning to the narrative of indigenous claims despite being legally barred. The Molbogs argue that this shift is an act of convenience rather than conviction, funded and supported by outside entities with political and economic interests. Such a move, they say, is both legally indefensible and an affront to the integrity of genuine indigenous struggles.  

The Molbog leaders further criticized the SAMBILOG-Balik Bugsuk Movement for associating themselves with the Molbog name despite having no legitimate ties to the community. They called on the public to be vigilant against groups that misuse Indigenous identity for personal gain, noting that such actions dilute the real challenges faced by legitimate Indigenous groups in protecting their culture, identity, and territories.  

“This is not just about land. It’s about preserving the dignity and heritage of the Molbog people, who have been the rightful stewards of Balabac since time immemorial,” the communique stated. The leaders urged local and national authorities to take a stand against fraudulent claims and to ensure that indigenous rights are protected with integrity and fairness.  

The Molbog community's message is clear: the identity and heritage of the indigenous peoples of Balabac are not tools to be manipulated for personal or political agendas. The SAMBILOG-Balik Bugsuk Movement, they assert, does not represent the true IPs of Balabac and should cease its efforts to misappropriate their name and rights.