PNP-CIDG arrests Datu Adlaw for illegal activities

On Thursday morning, Philippine National Police-CIDG arrested Jorgeto Corpuz Santisas, also known as Datu Adlaw, and Lourdes Latraca Infante in Surigao City on charges of usurpation of authority.

Datu Adlaw's Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines (FTGP) had been recruiting non-Lumads with false promises and charging them P1,200 membership fees for a supposed monthly allowance of P25,000.

Last month, FTGP padlocked several business establishments in Surigao City and set up unauthorized checkpoints along national highways, causing public disturbance.

CIDG also found that the group asserts ownership over Surigao del Norte province and the entire Philippines, armed with bladed weapons during their operations.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has labeled FTGP as illegitimate and warned that it is not recognized by indigenous cultural communities or NCIP in Caraga Region.

FTGP's actions, including setting up checkpoints and claiming authority over certain areas, are seen as usurping the functions of legitimate government agencies and causing alarm and scandal.