The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) on Thursday, Oct. 9 condemned the killing of Teduray leader Ramon Lupos of Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur, calling it a “serious affront to peace, justice, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples” in Mindanao.
In an emailed statement, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto ‘Anton’ Lagdameo Jr. said Malacañang stands with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) in denouncing the attack and in seeking swift justice for Lupos and his family.
“Mr. Lupos was one of the few remaining non-Moro Indigenous Peoples leaders in the area, and his murder is an affront to the peace and justice that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration are firmly committed to uphold,” Lagdameo said.
He pointed out that the Marcos administration envisions a nation that upholds peace and human rights for all Filipinos, saying violence has no place in a democratic and inclusive society.
“Our President envisions a society that prioritizes not only peace but also the human rights of every Filipino. We are steadfast in protecting all communities, including non-Moro Indigenous Peoples in the Bangsamoro region,” Lagdameo said.
The OSAP voiced strong support for Barmm Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in urging law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough, immediate, and impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Lagdameo also reaffirmed OSAP’s mandate to ensure that the concerns of vulnerable and marginalized groups are heard and that their ancestral rights are respected.
“The OSAP is committed to ensure that the voice of every vulnerable community, including our non-Moro IP brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro, is heard and their right to their ancestral lands is protected,” he said.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances behind the killing. Lupos was widely regarded as a respected Teduray leader who championed peace, unity, and cultural preservation among Indigenous communities in Maguindanao del Sur.
Lagdameo vowed that the Palace will not let the attack derail ongoing efforts toward inclusive and lasting peace in Mindanao.
“This heinous act will not deter the path toward genuine, inclusive peace. We call on all relevant agencies to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice without delay,” he said.
