The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrests Federal Tribal Group of the Philippines (FTGP) leaders Jorgeto Corpuz Santisas, also known as 鈥淒atu Adlaw,鈥� and 20 other FTGP members after implementing an arrest warrant for usurpation of authority on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo from the CIDG)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested Federal Tribal Group of the Philippines (FTGP) leaders Jorgeto Corpuz Santisas, also known as 鈥淒atu Adlaw,鈥� and Lourdes Latraca Infante for usurpation of authority in Surigao del Norte.
Police also nabbed 19 of their followers.
鈥淒atu Adlaw鈥� claims that the group is the new government 鈥楤agong Gobyerno鈥� and alleged that they are existing and operating pursuant to Republic Act 8371 (The Indigenous Peoples Rights of 1997),鈥� the CIDG explained in a statement Thursday.
According to the CIDG, the group asserted ownership over Surigao del Norte province and the entire Philippines.
The police also reported that the group, armed with bladed weapons, padlocked several business establishments in Surigao City last January 24, alleging violations of ancestral land rights and supposed FGTP laws.
鈥淭hey also set up unauthorized checkpoints along the national highway in Barangay Sabang, where they threatened commuters regarding their claims,鈥� CIDG said.
鈥淔urthermore, FTGP was allegedly recruiting non-Lumads, charging them P1,200 in membership fees, and falsely promising a P25,000 monthly allowance,鈥� the police added.
The arrest warrant dated February 18, for usurpation of authority was issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 in Surigao City, recommending a bail bond of P30,000 for each accused.
The warrant was implemented on Thursday at 6 a.m.
鈥淲e are now conducting [an] investigation on the legality of the FTGP.聽 Manhunt operations to the other remaining subjects of the warrant of arrest is ongoing,鈥� CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said in a statement.
鈥淭his successful operation reinforces CIDG鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that individuals who exploit and usurp government authority will be held accountable,鈥� Torre said.
Police last January filed charges against Santisas, Infante and fellow FTGP leader Jhavie Latraca Infante for usurpation of authority, alarm and scandal, cyber libel, grave coercion, grave threats, malicious mischief, physical injury, serious illegal detention, and other violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
READ: 鈥楤ogus鈥� indigenous leaders face raps in Surigao City
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) previously warned that the FTGP 鈥渋s not recognized as an indigenous peoples organization (IPO) by the ICCs (indigenous cultural communities) and IPs in Caraga Region or the NCIP.鈥�
The NCIP said, 鈥淸FTGP鈥檚] main goal is to solicit funds and favors for their personal gain under the guise of a legitimate IPO.鈥�
鈥淭he FTGP, in setting up checkpoints and claiming authority over certain areas, is usurping the functions of legitimate government agencies, obstructing justice, and causing alarm and scandal,鈥� it added.
Further, the NCIP said the IP Rights Act does not give authority to any individual or group to establish a separate government.