THE CENTRAL Mindanao University denied allegations that it maltreated indigenous people in dismantling illegal shanties.

This came after netizens criticized the university for allegedly mistreating the natives in Sinalayan, Lumbo in Valencia, Bukidnon.

CMU said that “no physical harm” was inflicted on any individual.

It added that the disputed land was granted to the university by the Supreme Court and the certificate of ancestral domain that the natives possess was only approved by the National Commission on Indigenous People.

“All actions of the SSU personnel were properly coordinated with the CMU Administration and Legal Office. The IP group and their leaders, with the presence of the NCIP Provincial Officer, were properly informed of the option to remove the shanties themselves within five hours,” CMU President Jesus Antonio Derje said in a statement.

“With our effort to suppress untoward incidents during the actual dismantling, police and military were even requested to observe the execution,” Derje added.