The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) received queries concerning the invitation sent by Capt. Rey Valeros, Jr. (Luzon Convenor), Papa Romeo A. Melecio (Visayas Convenor), and Datu Allan Sumandang (Mindanao Convenor) to various government

officials and other stakeholders regarding the Indigenous Peoples’ Convention 2022 to be held on 12-14 August 2022 at Sitio Pundokan,Anonang, Buenavista, Bohol.

The convenors – Capt. Rey Valeros, Jr., Papa Romeo A. Melecio, and Datu Allan Sumandang – indicated in their letter that they belong to the so-called “Institute for Customary Law” (ICL) as well as the “International Special Court of Arbitration and Human Rights (ISCAHR)”.

However, based on the research made by the Office of Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR), NCIP, there is no such thing as

Philippine-based Institute for Customary Law nor this group is a partner of or its activity being affiliated to the ISCAHR.

Let this Advisory serve as notice that the activity “IP Convention 2022” is not sanctioned by NCIP and “Institute for Customary Law” is not an Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) registered with NCIP or recognized by the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in Bohol.

Let copies of this Advisory be issued to Senator Robinhood C. Padilla, other government officials and stakeholders, as well as the ICCs/IPs of Bohol through NCIP-Regional Office 6/7, to forewarn them to be cautious in participating in the upcoming activity or engaging with “Institute for Customary Law” to avoid giving a semblance of regularity to their activities or legitimacy to their organization.