The sudden appearance and consequent spread of a huge number of Aetas in the eastern portion of Ilocos Norte has alarmed residents in the area as several concerned individuals and families have complained of this ethnic minority’s alleged harassment of locals in the province.

Several sources have reported that these Aetas were allegedly brought to the province recently by the truckloads by still unidentified persons.

And as these ethic tribe was unwittingly set loose on the province, these Aetas settled in several rural barangays in the province where they reportedly raid households during the night for food.

According to several residents who claimed they have been victimized by these Aetas, these Aetas, who are usually taking their bows and arrows with them, would steal kitchen pots and other utensils, farm vegetables and even stray animals in the rural barangays where they chose to settle in.

Reacting to the situation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based in Ilocos Norte, headed by Guadalupe Bumanglag, ordered social workers in the province’s municipalities where these Aetas had been reported spotted to look for the “hide-outs” of these members of ethnic tribe for them to trace their identities and where they originally came from.

According to Bumanglag this would facilitate the assistance the DSWD could give these aborigines and for them to be returned to the province where they came from.

Meanwhile, several unconfirmed reports had also cropped up regarding these Aetas wherein they had been accused of cannibalism.

Some observers also aired their belief that these Aetas may be members of a syndicate that would want to sow harassment in the province.

The Ilocos Times also learned from reliable sources that these Aetas are from Zambales. The Ilocos Norte DSWD is still looking into this matter as of presstime.

Leilanie G. Adriano