NPA had motive in Lumad leader’s death: military

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 3): NPA had motive in Lumad leader’s death: military

THE MILITARY is pointing an accusing finger at the New People’s Army on the killing of a Lumad leader and his two brothers were killed in an attack in Sitio Kalapagan, Barangay Poblacion, Caraga town in Davao Oriental around 11 p.m. of Dec. 30.

 

The victims were identified as Likid (high datu) Cupertino Banugan, along with his brothers Benny and Ramon. Cupertino was the chief of the tribal council of the CADT-01 area.

 

According to the report, an undetermined number of armed men alighted from two utility vans and mowed down the houses of the IP leader and his brothers. The military and police believed that that attackers were members of the New People’s Army.

 

The victim was allegedly branded by the NPA as an asset of the military and has been feeding information to the authorities on the activities of the communist guerillas. The tribal council already released a statement insisting that it’s supporting the peace and development efforts of the government.

 

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said in a statement that Cupertino Banugan had received several death threats from the NPA.

 

He said another possible motive was the decision adopted by the tribal council headed by Banugan involving the land claims of two families in Sitio Sabang where the NPA favored the losing family against the tribal council’s decision.

 

“The tribal council detests the meddling of the NPA in the affairs of the IP especially the decisions of the tribal council and its elders and made a strong statement against such actions of the NPA,” the statement added.

 

Apparently, the tribal council that the victim headed established a village peace zone that prohibits the entry of armed groups.

 

According to the military report, sometime this June last year, around 200 NPAs coming from New Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental entered the CADT-O1 area and knocked on the doors of residents, including that of Cupertino Banugan.

 

He reported the incident to the press as he blasted the NPA of meddling in the affairs of the Lumads.

 

A similar incident happened in November last year, but the tribal council and its elders put it under wraps so as not to worsen the situation.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/npa-had-motive-in-lumad-leaders-death-military/