AFP suspects Reds killed tribal leader, brother in Davao Oriental

From GMA News (Jan 1): AFP suspects Reds killed tribal leader, brother in Davao Oriental

An indigenous people (IP) leader and his brother were killed by suspected communist rebels in Davao Oriental province two days before New Year's Day, the military said Sunday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Cuper Banugan, likid or chieftain of the Mandaya tribe, and his brother were slain during an attack by armed men on their houses at the CADT-01 area in Caraga around 11 p.m. last December 30.

Padila said the identifies of the armed men, who boarded two vans, were still undetermined though "all indications and motives point to the New People's Army due to prior incidents."

Banugan was the chief of the tribal council in CADT-01 area and was also the proponent of the village peace zone that prohibits the entry of armed groups in the area.

The military said that last June, about 200 NPA members from New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province; Cateel, Boston and Baganga, all in Davao Oriental, entered the CADT-01 area and knocked on the doors of residents including that of Banugan.

Banugan reported the incident to the media, including the alleged meddling of the NPA in purely IP matters.

In November, a similar incident happened but the tribal council and its elders decided not to have the media report it to prevent the situation from worsening.

The attacks were said to be due to claims by the NPA that Banugan and the whole council are military assets.

The council had already insisted it was not taking sides, but merely supports peace and development efforts in their community.

There are three existing organizations organized by Banugan for the IP leaders and elders; for women; and for the youth.

The NPA is reportedly against the three organizations that Banugan had organized for the IP leaders and elders, for women, and for the youth.

The NPA is also reportedly opposing the decision of the tribal council on the land claims of two families in Sitio Sabang, where the communist group favored the losing family.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/594308/news/regions/afp-suspects-reds-killed-tribal-leader-brother-in-davao-oriental