Ombudsman raps NCIP exec for threatening tribal head

The Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge Regional Director Jose Jake Dumagan Jr. of the NCIP Region 13 base in Butuan City with grave threats and light threats under Articles 282 and 283, respectively, of the Revised Penal Code. (Photo: Office of the Ombudsman Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has sued an executive of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly threatening to shoot with a rifle a tribal leader in the leg during their meeting March last year.

The Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge Regional Director Jose Jake Dumagan Jr. of the NCIP Region 13 base in Butuan City with grave threats and light threats under Articles 282 and 283, respectively, of the Revised Penal Code.

In his complaint, Datu Reynante Buklas, tribal chieftain of the Mamanwa tribe in Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte, claimed that he was invited by Dumagan to a meeting on March 22, 2017.

During the meeting, Dumagan questioned complainant’s act of discontinuing the services of a certain Atty. Alfonso Casurra, as the tribe’s counsel, without consulting respondent.

The complainant also recalled that the respondent had a gun tucked on his waist and threateningly stated in the vernacular: “Do you see that rifle, it has a very big scope. I will use that rifle to have you shot in the legs so you will be limped but I will not kill you. You better think of your decision.”

The complainant added that Dumagan threatened to have him replaced as tribal chieftain of the indigenous community in Baranay Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

The Ombudsman also ordered the six-month suspension of Dumagan after he was found guilty of simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public official.