40 IP families return home in SurSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 6, 2020): 40 IP families return home in SurSur (By 3rd Special Forces Battalion, Phil. Army)

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 6 -- “The tribe went home because the military assured their safety. If the Army will not be around, we will evacuate (again). We need the Army to protect us from the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs),” said Datu Constancio Duhac, Municipal Tribal Chieftain of Lianga, Surigao del Sur during the return of 40 families from the tribe in Sitio Simuwao, (Kilometer 9), Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on March 5.

After the CNTs harassed the civilians last February 21, the indigenous peoples (IPs) at Kilometer 9 have requested the permanent presence of the military and the establishment of a patrol base in the sitio to drive away CNTs and to establish the DepEd schools for their children.

It can be recalled that the CNTs harassed the civilians, as stated in the affidavit of the wounded civilians, with the intent to execute their playbook, “Taktikang Bakwit,” which is usually organized by the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Mga Sumusunod (MAPASU) to blame the military, request their pullout and delay government’s peace and development projects in the area.

As a result, their planned Taktikang Bakwit backfired on the CNTs and MAPASU. Instead of gaining sympathy to request the pullout of the Community Support Teams, their plan resulted to the demand of the IP to further request military presence in the area to protect them from the CNTs.

“The IP community is now enlightened. Dati pag nagbabakwit, ang apela nila ay paalisin ang military para bumalik sila sa community. Ngayon, nakita na nila ang katotohanan na ang mga teroristang NPA ang naghahasik ng lagim sa komunidad at hindi ang sundalo. Kaya ang gusto nila ngayon ay huwag ng umalis ang mga sundalo para maprotektahan sila laban sa exploitation ng mga teroristang NPAs at mga masterminds gaya ng MAPASU,” said LTC Joey Baybayan, 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion commander.

The IPs were assisted by the local government unit of Lianga and Surigao del Sur provincial government by providing transportation and food supplies for the whole duration of their temporary evacuation and their eventual return to their homes while the Army provided security.

“This is a concrete example of the Whole-Of-Nation approach to end local communist armed conflict because the military, which belongs to the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster and the LGUs under the DILG belonging to the Basic Services Cluster of EO 70 worked together to provide the needed services and assistance by the conflict-affected community during this critical time,” said Col. Allan Hambala,” 401st Infantry Brigade Commander.

Meanwhile, the IP leaders of Lianga said that this is no longer a tension between the Army and the CNTs alone. It is now a fight of the IPs, the government, and the whole Filipino people against the CNTs and their masterminds.

“We cannot be neutral in the fight against CNTs. Our tribe chose to fight against the CNTs because we want to put an end to their abuses, exploitation and atrocities against the IPs. Our lives are in danger and we need the military to protect our home. Kung sino man ang dapat paalisin sa komunidad, ang mga NPA at MAPASU, hindi ang gobyerno. Kung aalis ang military, papatayin nila kami dito, “ exclaimed Datu Jumar S. Bucales, IPMR of Lianga. (Lt. Krisjuper ANdreo Punsalan, 3SFBn CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035824