special feature Vanguard of the IPs ee we » Insigne takes the war for rights trom NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, THEAGENCY TASKED WITH IMPLEMENTINGTHETRAILBLAZING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ACT OF 1997, UNDERWENT A BAPTISM OF FIRE FEW EXPECTED IT WOULD SURVIVE. * Subjected to political the Cordillera rmountaing tothe hale of the UN. intrigue, its commissioners stripped of respect and deprived ofcommoncourtesy, and finally left to die a natural death with budget of Pi formorethanayear,thencir thas successfully hurled all the obstacles thrown in its path, coming out stronger, better appreciated at home, and honored and in demand abroad. Destined to reap allthe honors and the accolade is Eugenio A. Insigne, a full blooded Tinguian from Abra,andhimselfaproductofthecountry’s first attempts at providing its indigenous peoples a window for advancement. Gifted with native intelligence, resourcefiness, and diligence that have put his forebears in good stead since time immemorial, Insigne, managed to get f scholarship from the Commission on National Integrationandearna Commerce degree from the St. Louis University in Baguio City. Not one to be cowed by circumstance of birth, Insigne braved the cement jungles of Manila in the early 1970s to work a Bachelor of Laws degree asan academic scholar of one ofthe better known private schools of the country, San Beda College. Not one to let life pass hhim by even as a student, Tnsigne was soon engaged in various extracurricular activities. He soon joined the staff of the ‘San Beda Barrister, the school organ of ‘the San Beda College of Law. Likemost youngand promising Prom Insigneenvisioned forhimselfarespectable postingovernment, Hetookthe First Grade Cll Service exam soon after graduated from law school and passed with a {60 percent grade, In 1976, tion and passed {percent. But Insigne'’s zandaccomplishment 1979, be enrolled in fasterofLaws Program Philippinesasa UP Sof besins, Ms big el es tax Paty ting on ces isting Prrvine hn vate ening ene Pi cet jing fh ccs an he eee ec iki maid eee reals eee eee the minority and he soon became a visible figure in many tribal associations like the ‘TribalLawyers Assembly ofthe PhilippinesInsigne puts NCIP at par with big ine agencies and the Cordillera ‘Tribal Development Foundation, His home became the safe haven and meeting place for many young \warriorslikebring AvdinananIfugiowho roseinto theranksoftheNew People'sArmy and wholaterco-founded with Fr. Conrado Balweg the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (crt) Given his official posting and aceesstoresources, Insigneeventuallytook ‘on the fonctions ofa finance officer of the ‘cr, procuring guns and ammunition for the budding liberation movement. Whether as a rebel or as an astute prosecutor, Insigne could not help but do ‘more. Asanassistant prosecutorin Manila City, he was also a professor of Criminal Law at the Manuel L, Quezon Ui CCollegeofLav. nso years time, Insignewas recognized as oneofthe Most Outstanding Proseentors of Manila. When he joined Valenzuela Cityas the frst ity prosecutor, he also received a plaque of appreciation from the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center for his eee lected ito the UN, {judicious and steadtfastdedication to duty that resulted in the efficient proseestion of rugeases.”In2007,oneofhisalmamaters, the Philippine National Defense College training ground in national security for ‘many high ranking officials in the private and public sectors, conferred on him the ‘Most Outstanding Alumnus Award in the public service eategory Firstand foremost, Insigneisachampion of P rights. As a member ofthe Cordillera BodongAdministration-Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army negotiating panel in 1986, Insigne helped paved the way forthe cessation ofhostilities in theNorthandthe creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Insigne attained national seclaim for his IP advocacy when then President Corazon C. Aquino appointed him sectoral representative of IPs in Congress. A few years later, President Fidel V. Ramos conferred on him not only a congressional seat but an award as “Most Outstanding Indigenous Leader: At this point, Insigne reached another turning point—he started bringing his message of IP rights, recognition, and ‘cooperation beyond Philippine shores, Joiningsuchgroupsasthe ExecutiveCouneil of the Austronesian Forum, a couneil of IP leaders in the Asia-Pacifie Region, and advocacy missions in such countries as ‘Canadaand'Taiwan. Heactivelyparticipated inthe ormulationofthelawthatwouldnow be acclaimed worldwide, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, for its comprehensive andinsightfulappreciation of conditions and aspirations. The successful passage and implementation of tka egged him to carry the case of the IPs of the world before the United Nations. Insigne was a ‘member of the Philippine Representation in 2007 where he expressed in behalf of the Philippines the letter and the spirit of twa, explaining that the IP right to self determination is not in eonflit with the sovereignty principle of the state nor of thestate'sinherentownershipofancestral domains and its natural resources, That year, the UN Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly executivememberofthePresidential Human Rights Committee, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated Insigne as a member of the Philippine Uelegation in the presentation and defense of the Philippine Human Rights performanceheforethe UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. For the first time, the scir was recognized as e ‘equal to the big and regularline agencies cof government such as the National Economie Development Authorityandthe Department of Labor and Employment Soon after, President Arroyo appointed to the chairmanship of the NCTP. Hismessageofinternationslcooperation among the IPs ofthe world resonated far andwideand anotherinevitabilityeameta be. Last July, Insignewaselectedtothe 16- ‘man forum of experts, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the first Filipino tobe so distinguished. How does a fellow warrior for IP rights view this latest twistin Insigne’s eareer? Apdinan, a comrade at arms and now a colleague in government, has this to say: “Insigne’s assignment as a UN representative can only add credibility to his position as xcip chairman, For the Cordillera movement, it eould only mean that the dream of Cordilleran Autonomy iswithin reach.” JAM