Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) elements illegally arrested several Aetas who barricaded near the entrance of Mt. Pinatubo, Capas, Tarlac on April 18. They were charged with obstruction of public passage and unauthorized entry into a protected area, allegedly violating local ordinances and national laws.

The Aeta of Mt. Pinatubo put up a barricade in Sitio Tarukgan, Barangay Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac to assert their land rights and demand fair compensation amid exploitative tourism.

Though they were released on the same day, the PNP continues to intimidate and harass their community.

Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas condemned the arrests. It stated that the police response to the Aeta’s struggle for livelihood is infuriating. “Defending basic rights is not a crime.”

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) acknowledged the Aeta’s fight and sought an explanation from the PNP regarding the arrest of the indigenous people. It also claims collaborating with Aeta communities and the local agency of Capas to address their grievances and ensure appropriate compensation. However, the Aeta refuted this, stating the agency has taken no action on their concerns.

Katribu National Convenor Beverly Longid said “The NCIP missed the point. Merely seeking an explanation for the illegal arrests is insufficient. The police who violated the Aeta’s rights to free assembly and expression must be charged.”

“The Aeta’s struggle is not just about fair share and compensation, but also about genuinely recognizing their rights to ancestral lands and territory. Beyond being stakeholders, the Aeta are the rightful owners,” Longid said.