From the Sun Star-Davao (Apr 25): NPA asks Duterte to intervene in Talaingod 'militarization'
DURING the negotiation for the release of the captured army soldier in Laak, Compostela Valley Province, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said the New People's Army (NPA) asked him to intervene on the alleged militarization in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Duterte said he will try to find a solution to the problem. "They wanted my intervention. I was asked by the NPA to intervene because nahihirapan ang mga tao doon. They are after the people. I promised them to do something. I'm trying to sort it out," he said.
The Ata-Manobo evacuees have called for a pullout of military operations in their villages.
The evacuees claimed aerial bombing, massive harassment, and encampment in places where the soldiers were not supposed to put up camps. Others from their tribes have sought refuge in Bukidnon.
Duterte, however, said he will look into it but, "there's something there na hindi ko kaya because it's not within my jurisdiction," he said.
Datu Duloman, spokesperson of Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon, said that while they long to go home after weeks of staying at the Haran House, they will not do so if the military continue to operate in their area.
"Kami nanawagan na ipa-pull out ang sundalo sa kabukiran kay kining among mga lumad, wala mi naanad dire sa syudad. Didto mi naanad sa among lugar sa kabukiran (We are asking the government to pull out the military from Talaingod because we are not used to the lifestyle here in the city. We are used to living in our place)," said Datu Duloman Dawsay.
The Ata-Manobos, led by Datu Duloman Dawsay, are asking the government to listen to their call of pulling out the military from Talaingod so that they can return to their homes and live in peace with their families.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/04/25/npa-asks-duterte-intervene-talaingod-militarization-339747
Apparently the Philippine military is exerting noticeable pressure on Maoist New People's Army insurgents in the Talaingod area. The timing of the release of the soldier kidnapped by the NPA and using Davao Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte as a conduit for the release is intended to influence Duterte to force the withdrawal of military forces from barangays in the Talaingod region.
ReplyDeleteIn concert with their clandestine, underground counterparts, the above ground,"legal" communist fronts are also calling for the removal of military forces from the area. See "Tribal leaders urge Duterte to mediate in negotiations" at the following URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2014/04/25/tribal-leaders-urge-duterte-mediate-negotiations-339833