THE POLICE and military refused to withdraw the case they have filed against the militant leaders in Haran as demanded by the New People’s Army in exchange for the release of the four tribal leaders abducted in Talaingod, Davao del Norte last August 1.
Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press conference held at Mandaya Hotel, Sr. Supt. Aaron Aquino, Deputy Regional Director for Operations in Police Regional Office XI, told reporters that they will not withdraw the case.
Aquino said that cases of human trafficking, illegal detention and serious phjysical injuries have been filed against the militants.
”We will not withdraw the case that we filed in court. In fact, we have filed appropriate charges on the abduction of the tribal leaders,” Aquino said.
He suggested that a consultative meeting should be done involving the NCIP, AFP, PNP and other concerned agencies to look into the release of the Datus.
Lt. Col. Eduardo Gubat, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, also denied the allegations of the militant groups that the Datus were on their hands .
In an interview with Datu Nestor Apas of Langilan-Manobo Tribe, he said that there was an unidentified person who contacted him asking for the withdrawal of the case filed against the militant leaders in Haran.
“I was called Monday morning to withdraw the case but I told them that I cannot withdraw because I was not the one who filed the case,” Apas said.
Based on reports that they have received, the Datus who were abducted are in the boundary of Talaingod, Davao del Norte and San Fernando, Bukidnon held by the Guerilla Front 55 of New People’s Army.
In a press conference held at the Executive Building in San Fernando, Bukidnon last Tuesday, Municipal Mayor Hon. Levi C. Edma told reporters that he is asking the support of the military to intensify their intelligence monitoring to be able to rescue the four tribal leaders.
However he assured that their families will be given assistance from the local municipality of San Fernando.
Barangay Captain Jan Jose Baon also told reporters that prior to the abduction, the Datus were about to settle a tribal feud that happened in Talaingod when they were blocked by armed men along the way.
“When we learned about what happened, we immediately reported it to police and the military,” he said in the dialect.
According to Baon, they are worried about the families of the four Datus.
“We are worried and concerned because one of the Datus abducted adopted the children of the Lito Lundia, a lumad who committed suicide,” Datu Jimmy Lacubay, Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) at the Sangguniang Barangay, said.
Sr. Inspector Rham Camelotes, Commander of San Fernando Police, said they immediately conducted an investigation and coordinated with Talaingod Police to verify the incident in the area.
“As of now, we are looking at what case we will file against the NPA’s,” he said.
karon amo nang ginatan aw kung unsa ang kaso na ma file namo sa NPA’s,” he said.
Lt. Col. Francis Carter Sibal, Civil Miltary Operations(CMO) Battalion Commander, asked cooperation from the community to report immediately to them the situation so they can monitor and secure the residents.
Pangayaw
Meanwhile, Datu Apas said that they have set a timeline for the rebels to release the tribal leaders on Monday noon since their Bagani (warriors) are already preparing for a tribal war or “Pangayaw”.
“We made a ritual with our spiritual leader asking for the spirit’s consent for a Pangayaw where the camp of the rebels and the tribes are located,” he said.
“We ask the military not to join us because this is the affair of the tribe and our warriors will take charge,” Apas said.
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