NPAs Continue Terrorizing the People in Davao City

Malagos, Davao City – At least 14 individuals including civilians and CAFGUs were restrained against their free will by the New People’s Army in Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District, Davao City since December 23, 2012 until today.

There were 11 residents of Barangay Tambobong from different sitios were held captives and intimidated by the armed rebel group led by a certain Ka Bobby who continues to sow terror in the said district even during the yuletide season and while their ceasefire is supposed to be in effect. 

Based on reports coming from the residents, an estimated number of 140 NPAs stayed in the barangay to conduct recruitment, intimidation and kidnapping.

At around 5:30am on December 30, 2012, two CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) members namely:  CAA Artemio Sitoy and CAA Romeo Bulod both residents of Sitio Mangas-As of said barangay were forcefully taken for interrogation and held captive for almost 12 hours. 

During interview, the victims narrated that the NPAs asked them for names of all the CAFGU members and civilian military supporters residing in the barangay to be coerced to cease from supporting the Philippine Army and the Philippine Government . 

The victims recounted that they were pinpointed by the new NPA recruits who are also residents of the place.

Another kidnapping incident perpetrated by the same group transpired last December 31, 2012 with victims identified as a certain Jun Lopez, Junjun Alonzo and Tata Pandian who are all civilians and residents of Sitio Luyan.

According to the victims, one of the residents of the same barangay believed to be a supporter of the rebel group told them that they have an issue to be settled with the NPA and they are accounted to answer some questions.

Alarmed and terrorized, the victims tried to evade the NPAs but were chances upon by the bandits while on their way to the neighboring sitio of said barangay. 

Their ordeal at the hands of the NPAs doing interrogation started at around 5:30 in the morning and finished at around 3:30 in the afternoon. 

According to the victims, the group is composed of around 70 armed men and women conducting medical mission-like activity at the sitio.

At around 4:00 in the afternoon of same day, another CAFGU identified as CAA Tony Pandian was also abducted and then freed by the rebel group after answering some questions. 

According to one of the civilian victims, CAA Pandian was told by Ka Bobby to leave the military service as CAA or his son would be taken by the NPA to join the armed revolution.

Some witnesses said that the group went to CAA Pandian’s house twice and that they were really ardent in talking to him.

Aside from the ensuing incidents of abduction in Barangay Tambobong, seven other residents kidnapped by the NPAs and coerced them to join the illegal armed group. Four of them were identified as a certain Toto Belarmiya, Adonis Belarmiya, Elmer Amad and Toto Duyan were all taken before the NPA Anniversary Celebration last December 26, 2012. All of them were residents of Sitio Laputan of said barangay.  

Last December 31, 2012, three more civilians were captured and were forced to join the NPAs identified as Boyet Duyan and Joel Espina of Upper Tambobong and Lower Luyan of the same barangay and a certain Junjun Ogao, not from  Barangay Tambobong but identified as the grandson of the late Datu Causing Ogao who was killed by the NPA last July 2012.

Another resident of  Barangay Tambobong named Boy Betil was also abducted by the NPAs last December 23, 2012 at Sitio Sayawan, Brgy. Salaysay, Marilog District, Davao City for suspicion of being a military informant. 

Some witnesses said the victim was tortured, immersed in Tuli River and believed to be still in the hands of the rebel group. Until now, no one knows the whereabouts of Boy Betil. 

The kidnapping incidents and the presence of the New People’s Army in Barangay Tambobong clearly prevented the observance and celebration of the community of the Yuletide Season and of the New Year. 

Most of the rebels stayed overnight at the residents houses even they were not welcomed by the local populace. 

Some of the families even left their houses and evacuated at nearby sitios and barangay because they were frightened of the presence of the NPA at their houses. Several residents opted not to go home for the celebration of New Year with their families upon knowing the presence of the rebel group.

“We see how inhumane the NPAs are. They do not abide in their self proclaimed ceasefire, they do not stand with the peace truce that they have with the government – in which they have even asked for its extension – and worse, they did not let the people celebrate New Year. They intimidated and threatened the people not minding what the occasion is. They had been violating CARHRIHL and the Suspension of Military Operation. I would like to call on everybody specially the government officials to condemn such monstrous acts of the New People’s Army and to help the people of Barangay Tambobong.” said by LTC Nigos, Commanding Officer of 84IB.

On another development, GPH Panel Chairman Alex Padilla, through panel member Ednar Dayanghirang, confirmed that the NDFP shortened the bilateral ceasefire to 02 January 2013 (yesterday) instead of 15 January 2013 as it announced the allege AFP violation of the ceasefire and insinuated that NPA may launch Tactical offensives. 

It may be noted that the NDFP earlier declared that they consider AFP's "Civil-Mil Operations" and "peace and development" activities as "offensive military operations". 

NPA atrocities complicate AFP’s Humanitarian Efforts

The Organized Crime Group New People’s Army attack the Peace and Development Team of 60^th Infantry Battalion on humanitarian mission Thursday morning a day after it announced ceasefire to give way for the victims of typhoon Pablo.

The 10^th Infantry Division disclosed that at 5:45 a.m., army troops augmented to assist and deliver relief goods to distressed and stricken residents in Sitio Banoog, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, however, they were waylaid by NPA fighters.

“Members of 60^th IB were fired upon at the outreach station in said village”, 10^th ID spokesman Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said. He then slams the notorious group adding that perpetrating atrocity “is contrary to their promise of a 29-day ceasefire” that started on December 5, 2012 to January 3, 2013.

“We all know that their promise of truce is nothing but a sugar coated lie to make them look like Good Samaritans. It is a mere façade to cloak their real identity as criminals”, Paniza said. He added that the rebel group is exploiting the distraught situation of the victims as propaganda and nothing else. “This incident only manifests their insincerity in helping the people especially those badly affected residents. If we are on relief mission mode, then they are on ‘business as usual’ mode without considering that the assault hampered our relief efforts”, he added.

To recall on Sunday, four days after the National Democratic Front started ceasefire and a day before the 64^th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the NPAs also committed another crime by attempting to kill Pfc. Lito Mansalo-on and by abducting his two minor daughters, aged 14 and 12, in the remote village of Sitio Danao, Brgy Gupitan, San Isidro, Davao del Norte. Paniza cited the said attack adding that the criminal group did not spare the said soldier and his family who was also a victim of Pablo’s wrath after their house was washed out during the onslaught of the typhoon. 

Paniza assured though that the atrocities of the NPAs will not hamper their relief efforts nor stop them to access remote areas to aid assistance and help the victims to start anew.

Lumads in Paquibato evacuate after NPA threat

MALAGOS, Davao City – At least 17 families of a lumad tribe in Marilog District, this city, were evacuated after receiving threats from New People’s Army allegedly eyeing the tribe’s village as the site for the forthcoming anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) next month.

Datu Tresio Lumuyok, tribal chieftain of Matigsalog tribe, said residents have abandoned their houses in Purok 26, Sitio Alon, Brgy. Malabog and seek refuge in Brgy. Marilog since November 6. He led his people in search for a safe place after Leoncio Pitao, head of NPAs operating in the hinterlands of Paquibato, threatened and forced them to take part in rallies and demonstrations in protest to the presence of government troops in the area. He added that residents were suspected as military informants scouting the whereabouts of the notorious group after several encounters transpired in the area.

“Pitao said that we are feeding information to soldiers about their presence and that we betrayed their group. Because of that we are scared of going back to our village”, said one of the evacuees, who requested not to be identified for security reasons.

According to Lumuyok, Pitao is planning to make their village the venue for the 44^th year of CPP on December 27.

Datu Buaya Ansaud welcomes the evacuees in his village in Sitio Malikongkong as Davao City Social Services and Development Office had been providing for their needs in cooperation with 84^th Infantry Battalion.

“We see how the NPAs jeopardize the safety of these families who are living peacefully in the area”, said Lt. Col. Edgar Nigos, commander of 84^th IB.

He said that the incident is a wake-up call for everybody to denounce the presence of the rebels in the area instead of the military. “It is our mandate to protect the people and not to harm them. That’s why we would like to encourage everyone specially the government leaders to condemn the presence of the NPAs so that we can all live peacefully”, he said.

Soldiers repel NPA attack; two rebels killed, high powered firearms recovered

Mawab, Compostela Valley Province – Two members of New People’s Army were killed while two high-powered firearms were recovered 11:45 a.m. Sunday following an encounter with government troops in Brgy. Calabcab, Maco, Compostela Valley Province.

 

Commander of 71^st Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. Jerry Borja, disclosed that said attack was a deliberate offensive operation of notorious group to harass the residents who have been in support to the Army’s Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP). “Our Peace and Development Team were having a community consultation in barangay hall when NPAs, despite the presence of civilians, attacked and peppered the area with bullets”, he said adding that the attack was another act of idiocy and desperation of the NPAs in response to the rejection of the community.    

  

“Our troops refrained from firing to secure first the civilians. This resulted to seven soldiers wounded in action (WIAs)”, Borja said. He identified the WIAs as Sgt. Marlon Parong, Cpl. Romualdo Tangonan, Pfc. Erwin Manabat, Pfc. Rocky Molina, Pfc. Jaypee Sionillo, Pfc. Carmelo Cachuela, and Pfc. Ludivico Elegio Jr. who are now recuperating in Camp Panacan Station Hospital, Panacan, this city.

 

 “Troops returned fire right after they have secured the residents in the area”, he added saying two of the criminal group NPA were killed in said clash which lasted for about three hours. He identified the two as certain Manny and Max. Also recovered in the area were one M16 rifle and one M14 rifle and five improvised landmines. “Amidst being outnumbered, our troops were still able to drive away more or less 60 members of the NPA”, he said.

 

Borja disclosed that two civilians were also wounded identified as Grace Buayaban Malisa, 22 years old, who was hit in her right tricep and Adela Tomas Madanlo, 46 years old, who was wounded in her right stomach and both her feet and legs due to shrapnel. He also revealed that one of the victims was shot by the NPAs based on initial interview. “She said that when one of the NPAs pointed her the gun, she raised her hand saying she was a civilian pleading to spare her, but the rebel still shot her”, he said but failed to name the victim.

 

“This act is clearly out of their frustration to stop the success of Maco in gaining peace and development. They attacked government forces without considering the presence of civilians that may be caught in between crossfire”, Borja said.

A Peaceful Life Taken Away by Own Comrades

Mati City, Davao Oriental – Ruperto C Cadungog was a great father to his seven children and a loving husband to his wife. He works hard as security personnel only to make both ends meet and provide a decent life for his family. But on Sunday, in front of his pleading relatives, he was killed for one reason that government authorities’ confirmed, he was a former commander of the rebel group New People’s Army who has returned to the fold of law for a new lease in life.

 

Cadungog, known by his former cohorts as Toper, was shot to death 7:45 p.m. at his own residence in Sitio Fairview, Brgy. Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental. Being witnessed by his relatives, this brutal execution sowed fear and, inevitably, trauma preventing them to cooperate and give details to police authorities. After the incident, his kin immediately rushed him to Camillus Hospital but was declared dead due to multiple gunshot wounds.

 

 “This is a manifestation of the barbaric nature of the CPP/NPA as anti-peace and anti-development”, said Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of Army’s 10^th Infantry Division who affirmed that NPA’s execution to former members were set to avert possible rebel returnees and may result to surrender feelers. He ensured though that security measures will be undertaken to prevent similar incident.

 

“As President Aquino forged the Peace Agreement yesterday between the GPH-MILF, the CPP, through its Organized Armed Group NPA, is continually sowing terror to peace loving citizens especially those of their comrades who decided to peacefully live a normal life”, Paniza said.

 

Last year, Cadungog surrendered to government troops and was living peacefully working as  security staff at the City Engineers’ Office of Mati City who was accorded with said job by Mayor Michelle Rabat in order to aid him in support to his children who are all at school.

 

Now, his wife is unsure where to start the new life her husband had once tried to create for them. She has no idea how she will support her seven children who may no longer go back to school. She may be clueless of what will happen to them next, but one thing she is sure of, their dreams are now scattered because of his husbands’ once affiliation to notorious NPAs caused him his life.

 

Mayor Rabat, however, has pledged to continually support Cadungog family.

 

As Paniza have said, “NPAs are desperate because of its diminishing force that is why they now resort to threatening their own members and capitalizing recruiting minors.

Youth Leadership Summit in Banaybanay

Banaybanay, Davao Oriental- About 187 young leaders from 14 Brangays of Banaybanay, joined the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) in municipality of Banaybanay on 20-24, September 2012 at Parish Center Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

 

Dubbed with the theme “Barug Kabataan, Makighiusa para sa Kalinaw og Kalambuan,” the four-day Summit has a main goal to win the peace through inter-agency collaboration.  

 

The YLS Banaybanay was organized by 28^th Infantry Battalion under Ltc Francisco Lorenzo Jr with the support coming from the Provincial and Local Government Unit (LGU), Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Banaybanay and participation from various government agencies, civic and religious groups.

 

Other graduates of the YLS, now members of Youth for Peace coming from municipalities of San Isidro and Lupon of Davao Oriental were united and came together for the YLS Banaybanay to act as “Ates and Kuyas” (Mentors) during the summit.

 

The YLS is a character-based leadership for the youth that intends to inculcate among the youth the virtues of patriotism, awareness against drug addiction, awareness on threat situation and deeper environmental concerns.

 

According to 1^st Lt Montelibano, the YLS Exercise Director and Civil Military Operation of 28IB, the YLS was packed with team building activities, physical fitness, spiritual  nourishment, pro-environment activities and highlighted with their evening socials were in the officers of Youth for Peace Movement (YFPM) Banaybanay Chapter where inducted. Sangguniang Bayan member Hon Lemuel Ian Larcia and Hon Flores M Alingalan was able to impart their success youth leader story.

 

The youth were group into barangays to create their Action Plan was presented to the SB member Lemuel Ian Larcia and Flores M Alingalan, together with Barangay officials in 12 Barangays in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

 

“Their Action Plan will be their guide in implementing their programs prioritizing the immediate needs,” said Ltc Lorenzo.