The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that it has launched focused military and humanitarian operations to address increased New People's Army (NPA)'s presence in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.
After they were displaced by Typhoon Pablo in December 2011, the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee relocated their site of operations in Talaingod, taking advantage of its volatile indigenous population.
On-going operations that started in March this year resulted in several encounters between the NPAs and the 1003rd Infantry Brigade; and the recovery of four enemy encampments, and two improvised explosive devices, among others.
The unit's successful conduct of focused military operations resulted to the dislocation of SMRC and its Guerrilla Front 55 from their former camps in Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod.
As a result, the communist insurgents organized a massive evacuation effort involving Lumads of Davao City affected by the fighting and allegedly abused by the military.
The military is also being blamed for the death of “Biboy” a twelve-day-old who died during the evacuation, which was unnecessary since military operations are focused on armed threats and protection of the Lumad communities.
The military, police and local government of Talaingod already launched humanitarian assistance to evacuees in Sitio Nasilaban where they distributed food packs and assorted clothing.
However, on April 4, a convoy of police, military, and ABS-CBN personnel were landmined at around 2:30 pm at Sitio Opao, Barangay Palma Gil.
The convoy came from a relief operation at Sitio Nasilaban where evacuees are staying.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the attack.
Also, Talaingod Mayor Jose Libayao already declared a state of calamity and denied allegations of militant groups of abuses committed by the military.
Indigenous People’s Mandated Representative of Talaingod, Datu Lumansad, sought Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's assistance to bring back evacuees in
He also said that the organizers did not inform local authorities in Talaingod of their plan to bring evacuees to
Datu Ruben Labawan, Chairman, Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development (STCPD) called out to resolve issues locally and asked the communist organizers not to exploit the plight of the Lumads.
The AFP reiterated that its operations in Talaingod are legitimate and focused only on the armed group.
The NPAs are only causing panic among the Lumads by causing unnecessary evacuation, following the loss of their camps during the deliberate and focused military operations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=633193
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