Is Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Undermining Laguna Village?

Sebastian Itch

Sebastian Itch, the chairman of Laguna Village, also spoke up against the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Dolores Balderamos Garcia. He says that the minister continues to undermine residents of Laguna Village and that she has wrongfully accused villagers of being expansionists. Here is what he had to say about why he thinks her remarks are not helpful to the ongoing situation.

Sebastian Itch, Chairman, Laguna Village

“We have reminded the government that we have the CCJ order that we must follow in resolving this issue with Yemeri Grove. Today we say again, that Laguna and its leaders are committed to working with the government on this matter. We also want to point out that the government has taken actions and made remarks that are absolutely not helpful. For example, Minister Dolores Balderamos has labeled us as expansionist. In her recent press conference she basically said that want all the lands and everything on it and that giving out house lots to every villager of Laguna is illegal. A lot of people listen to the minister and when she makes these misleading and untrue remarks people listen to it. It has caused threat on our villagers.”