Davao del Norte tribal leaders, mayor deny military abuse

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): Davao del Norte tribal leaders, mayor deny military abuse

Tribal leaders and Talaingod town Mayor Basilio Libayao on Monday vehemently denied claims of militant groups that his constituents were abused by Eastern Mindanao Command units.

Talaingod is located in Davao Del Norte.

The abuses reportedly took place following the evacuation of the town's Manobo families to Davao City apparently spearheaded by a militant group.

Libayao and the tribal leaders denied these claims, saying that “for truth and peace, there were no abuses committed by the soldiers in the area. If indeed there are, then I myself will defend my people.”

The Talaingod mayor also revealed that “the residents were discreetly gathered by a group called PASAKA at night to leave their residences in order to make it appear that the soldiers on peace outreach in the area committed abuses.”

He added they are seeking assistance from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to let the evacuees return to Talaingod.

“We are capable to attend the needs of our constituents. The organizers did not inform local authorities of their plan to bring the evacuees to Davao City. We are seeking assistance to the good mayor of Davao City to bring back our constituents here in our municipality. We also apologize for any disturbance, in one way or another, they may have caused,” Libayao stated.

He added that they are looking for violations that the organizers may have committed and may opt to file charges if there are any.

As of this weekend, only 300 individuals from Sitio Lasakan, Barangay Palma Gil of Talaingod evacuated, according to Davao City Social Service Development Office, contrary to the claim of PASAKA that there were 1,300 individuals who fled their homes to Davao City on alleged militarization and abuses by soldiers.

However, most of the evacuees preferred to stay in the locality as they are being attended to by the local government of Talaingod.

1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Harold N. Cabreros said that security operations by the soldiers in the area are addressing New People's Army (NPA) harassment, deception and extortion activities in the area.

"Our troops have uncovered NPA camps, captured landmines and we have even lost a soldier in a clash with them," Cabreros said.

He added that the leftist group are taking advantage of the people especially the indigenous people using them as propaganda tools in order to stop development from reaching the area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=633316