“CFSI provides a good opportunity for the IPs to be able to participate in rights awareness activities like this where they are informed not only of their rights but also their responsibilities”, said Mr. Daniel Paculanang, Information Officer II of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region IX. The Sama Bajau Capacity Strengthening Project (SBCSP) of Community and Family Services International (CFSI) with funding support from the European Union (EU) conducts Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Rights Act Awareness Activity as part of its Human Rights Component. A total of 300 Sama Bajau family heads participated in the activity conducted in three barangays, namely Rio Hondo, Kasanyangan, and Arena Blanco.
The activity included a discussion on Human Rights, UNDHR, UNCRC and the IPRA. This also served as an avenue for participants to raise cases of human rights violations committed against them and seek for legal remedy through the facilitation of CHR Region IX.
Pinida Mahari, 29 years old and a mother of 4, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to understand their rights as persons and as an IP. During one of the sessions, Pinida shared stories and concerns about her family and her husband. He is currently in jail for alleged possession of illegal drugs. Pinida shared that at the time of his arrest, they were asked by the officer to sign a plea bargain for her husband to lower his sentence in jail. At the time, she did not fully understand what she was being told to do. She further added there was no warrant of arrest presented. Because of her participation in the activity, Pinida gained better understanding of their situation and their rights. CHR also invited her to coordinate with them directly to be able to assist her husband.
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