Three Lumads abducted in Bukidnon; 2 later released

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 7): Three Lumads abducted in Bukidnon; 2 later released

THREE Lumads were reportedly abducted in Sitio Upper Bayugan, Barangay Kitobo Kitaotao town in Bukidnon at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

 

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, identified the victims as Jovanie Rebacca, 17; Nonoy Paradero, 61 and his son, Dilly Paradero, 48, all residents of Sitio Dao in Barangay White Kulaman in Kitaotao.

 

The army blamed the New People’s Army for the abduction as the officer said that troops from the 8^th Infantry Battalion and the police have launched a manhunt to rescue the victims.

 

The communist rebels reportedly released Jovanie and Nonoy later in the afternoon.

 

In an interview yesterday with Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of 4^th Infantry Division, he said the rebels abducted the Lumad as a warning to others.

 

“If they won’t follow the NPA, that’s what will happen to them and more,” Martinez said.

 

In a statement, Felipe Cabugnason, chairman of Barangay White Kulaman, said the NPAs were angry about the Lumad’s expulsion of MISFI teachers who were operating a school without the necessary permits from the Department of Education.

 

Reportedly, MISFI school was closed down by the Lumads after learning that their children were radicalized by the volunteer teachers.

 

Cabugnason and his tribal council immediately safeguarded the MISFI school and notified the authorities about the situation.

 

“These NPAs really wanted to regain their grip over the IP villages by sowing threat and violence,” Col. Jesse Alvarez, commander of 403^rd Infantry Brigade said.

 

“This must be addressed there will be no lift up on our security operations in the area.”he said.”We don’t let these rebels ruin the area.”

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/three-lumads-abducted-in-bukidnon-2-later-released/