Kalinaw News: Eastern Mindanao Command condemns NPA attack and killing of IP member in Davao de Oro

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 16, 2020): Eastern Mindanao Command condemns NPA attack and killing of IP member in Davao de Oro

The Eastern Mindanao Command strongly condemns the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNT) in its recent atrocity that claimed the life of another Indigenous Peoples (IP) member in Davao de Oro.

On September 11, 2020, at around 6:30 AM, an undetermined number of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) attacked an IP community at Purok 3, Barangay Belmonte, Laak, Davao de Oro that prompted the tribal group to defend themselves and their communities.

A member of the tribal group identified as Bensar Alcano, was killed after the CNTs attacked the IP community.

This criminal act of the CNTs only shows how they disrespect the Indigenous Peoples who are only trying to make a peaceful living. At a time when the country is still struggling to fight the dreaded coronavirus, the Communist NPA Terrorists have also taken advantage of the situation by executing their treacherous acts.

On the other hand, the bold act of the IP community to stand up against the Communist NPA Terrorists, which began when the Local Government Unit of Laak declared the CPP-NPA as persona-non-grata on July 18, 2020, was also lauded by the Command as it manifests that the community is already tired of the senseless terroristic acts of the Communist Terrorist Group.

It proves that the IP communities stand ready to sacrifice their lives to defend their ancestral domain against any form of threats. This is also enshrined in the Philippine Republic Act No. 8731 otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, which recognizes and protects the rights, culture, and traditions of the Indigenous People.

Meanwhile, as we grieve the death of Mr. Alcano, we also honor him for sacrificing his life to defend his village from the murderous Communist NPA Terrorists. This heroic act is worthy of all commendation.

We also call on the IP representatives to condemn the recent atrocity of the CNTs and to give justice on the death of Mr. Alcano and other victims.

Further, Lt. Gen. Jose C. Faustino Jr, the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command has already directed the ground units, particularly the 60th Infantry Battalion, to pursue the perpetrators and to give justice to the slain IP member.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/eestern-mindanao-command-condemns-npa-attack-and-killing-of-ip-member-in-davao-de-oro/