AFP, PNP to pursue suspects behind killing of Lumad leader in AgNor

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 15): AFP, PNP to pursue suspects behind killing of Lumad leader in AgNor

Following the recent killing incident of a lumad in Agusan del Norte, top officials of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) here have condemned the devious acts and practices of the New People’s Army (NPAs) and will file a case in court against them.

In his interview, Lt Col Lynart Castisimo of the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) Philippine Army said that they are going to file a case and get a warrant of arrest for the perpetrators who killed Datu Ricardo Sulhayan, a Higaonon chieftain.

"After the incident, we conducted pursuit operation against the perpetrators. Our main objective is to pursue the case. We are now on the process of filing the case against this certain guerilla. It's almost a week that we have been conducting the pursuit operation in the area and we will not stop until we get them," disclosed Castisimo.

Castisimo further reminded the lumad community to be vigilant and be cautious enough with their surroundings. "We are continuing our operation in the area. With the vastness of our covered responsibility, I suggest that all tribal leaders will be more vigilant. I believe we can still attain peace if cooperation and engagement of other government entities are strengthened," he said.

The good colonel also assured the lumads of the continuous Bayanihan program in the province which includes the municipality of Nasipit. "We will continue our Bayanihan operations in the different areas together with other stakeholders in order to maintain peace and order situation. We are also asking our media partners to help us disseminate to the public the wrong doings of the NPAs so people will know and be cautious of them," he stressed.

Also, according to PSInsp Joepetrus Catubig, chief of Nasipit Police Station in Agusan del Norte, the PNP is the main investigative body in investigating the killing of Datu Sulhayan. "Evidences have been gathered to really see and prove who these perpetrators are and so we can arrest them... We have a security plan in line with the preparation of the 2016 elections and we are all ready for any security measures," he said.

Meanwhile, BGen Paul Atal of the 4th Infantry Division revealed that they are maximizing its monitoring efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. "We are all Filipinos and I urge them to surrender.
Educating the community is also vital in order to minimize and eradicate NPA recruitment. This meeting today with tribal chieftains will highlight unity and come up with certain resolutions. We absolutely condemn the activities of the illegal armed groups," he remarked.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2041444887748/afp-pnp-to-pursue-suspects-behind-killing-of-lumad-leader-in-agnor