Catamco welcomes petition against her

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco today welcomed the petition of tribal group for her to be removed a chair of the Indigenous Peoples Committee of the House of Representatives. I respect their decision because that is their right, Catamco told DXND Radyo Bida about petitions raised by Katribu, a group of tribal leaders who also declared her personal non grata. The group's action came after Catamco led police and military authorities in forcibly removing some 1,000 tribes people from Haran compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City.Piya Malayao, Katribu secretary general, claimed Catamco does not deserved to head the House committee. The group also wanted the House ethics committee to probe Catamco.While Catamco welcomed Katribu's move, she asked the group to reveal what they have done to four tribal leaders who have been missing. She said the four missing leaders knew the reason why the IPs reached Haran compound in Davao City from Talaingod and Kapalong, Davao del Norteand Bukidnon. Members of the IP community claimed they will only return to their communities if the military are out in the area. It was the Army presence in their communities that led them to Haran, Katribu said.