Tribal residents hold indignation rally against NPAs

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 27): Tribal residents hold indignation rally against NPAs

ESPERANZA Agusan del Sur -- About 500 members of the tribal communisty in this agricultural town held an indignation rally condemning the alleged acts of atrocities and killings perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the farming village of Milagros few days ago.

Lt. Krinen Peter G. Sarsagat, spokesperson of the army’s 26 Infantry Battalion based in Esperanza, said in a press statement on Thursday that the indignation rally was held at the town’s plaza after a protest march last Monday.

He said that the rally was lead by family members of five people who were shot and killed by NPA rebels who raided the farm owned by the Shannalyn Agro Forestry Inc. in Barangay Milagros Esperanza Agusan del sur on June 18.

The protesters condemned the merciless killings by the NPA rebels on five innocent civilians and for the burning of eight heavy equipment owned by the agro-forestry company, Sarsagat said.

Initial investigation disclosed the NPA rebels attacked the company’s plantation for the alleged failure of the management to give in to the “extortion” demands of the rebels, he added.

The indignation rally ended with the tribal leaders initiating prayers and rituals for peace and stability in the town of Esperanza, Sarsagat said.

He said some sectoral groups like the People's Anti-Crime Crusade of the Philippines, religious leaders, and local government units joined the indignation rally.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=538753