‘Beware of bogus native land titles,’ NCIP warns; Public urged to think before buying

BAGUIO CITY – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples–Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) has warned the public against an unauthorized group allegedly issuing fake native land titles while falsely claiming authority under existing land registration and Indigenous Peoples' laws.

In a public advisory issued on July 20, the NCIP-CAR identified the group operating under the name "Lumad Katutubo (Independent People) Free and Independent People (ICCs/IP)" and urged the public not to transact with the entity.

According to the advisory, the group is unlawfully issuing fake "Original Certificates of Native Titles" and misleading the public by claiming authority under Presidential Decree No. 1529 (Property Registration Decree) and Republic Act No. 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.

The commission stressed that the group has no legal authority to issue land titles, register land, or grant ownership of ancestral or private lands.

NCIP-CAR emphasized that only authorized government agencies may process and issue legally recognized land titles. Under the IPRA, the NCIP is the government agency mandated to issue Certificates of Ancestral Land Titles (CALTs) and Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) after completing the required legal process.

The commission also warned that individuals found issuing unauthorized land titles may face criminal charges, including estafa (swindling), falsification of public documents, and usurpation of authority or official functions, depending on the findings of the appropriate investigation.

It added that the group's alleged activities may also violate Presidential Decree No. 1529 and Republic Act No. 8371 if these laws are falsely invoked to deceive the public about land ownership. Organizations found conducting unauthorized business transactions or soliciting money without legal authority may likewise face liability under other applicable laws.

To protect the public from fraud, NCIP-CAR urged landowners, Indigenous Cultural Communities, prospective buyers, and the general public to verify all land titles and ownership documents with the NCIP, the Land Registration Authority (LRA), the Register of Deeds, or other concerned government agencies before entering into any land transaction.

The commission cautioned that dealing with unauthorized entities could result in financial losses, invalid land claims, and lengthy legal disputes, reiterating that only government-authorized agencies have the legal authority to process and recognize land ownership documents in the Philippines.