The Cagayan de Oro-based 4th Infantry Division of the
Philippine Army has condemned the rebel group New People's Army (NPA) for its
wanton abduction and killing of Mayor Dario Otaza of Loreto, Agusan del Sur and
his son.
"The 4th Infantry Division joins all tribal communities
and the peace-loving people of Northern Mindanao in condemning the NPA for
killing a Lumad peace advocate, Mayor Dario Otaza, and his son Daryl
Otaza," 4th Infantry Division public affairs office chief Capt. Joe
Patrick Martinez said.
The bodies of the victims were found in Barangay Bitan-agan,
Butuan City
The two went missing 6:50 p.m. on Monday after NPA bandits,
disguising themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation,
abducted the Otazas from their residence in Barangay Baan, Butuan City
The senior Otaza was a member of the NPA who later on
surrendered after realizing that armed struggle is not the solution to the
country’s problems.
As mayor and member of the Provincial Tribal Council in Agusan
Del Sur, he liberated his town from NPA exploitation and manipulation.
Otaza was successful in encouraging 246 NPA leaders and
members, majority of whom are Lumads, to surrender and return to "normal
and peaceful" lives.
“The attack on Mayor Otaza is a clear and undeniable proof
of the NPA’s human rights atrocities in Lumad communities. This is also a solid
proof of the NPA’s continuing campaign to take control of our Lumads and anyone
who gets in their way is killed in the process," 4th Infantry Division
commander Major Gen. Oscar Lactao said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=817196
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