Army 4ID chief holds consultative meeting with LGU-SurSur, religious groups, lumad leaders

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 15): Army 4ID chief holds consultative meeting with LGU-SurSur, religious groups, lumad leaders

MGen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) has initiated a consultative meeting with the provincial government of Surigao del Sur, religious groups, and lumad leaders on Saturday, September 11.

Presided over by provincial administrator Efren Rivas, Jr., for and in behalf of Governor Johnny Pimentel who was out-of-town due to an earlier commitment, the high-ranking army official wanted to hear things from different perspectives, it was learned.

The administrator, who relayed the stand of the governor, said both Governor Pimentel and Bishop Nerio Odchimar had remained steadfast in their common stand—to disarm and disband the Magahat-Bagani force.

Allegedly, members of said group, particularly siblings Bobby and Loloy Tejero as well as Garito Layno were behind the brutal murder of Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Bello Sinzo, respectively, the executive director of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (Alcadev), chairman of Malahutayong Pakigbisug alang sa mga Sumusunod, and a civilian.

The said incident had triggered the mass evacuation of lumads from Kilometer 16, Sitio Han-ayan, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, 90 km. south, this city, and other nearby villages on September 1.

Rivas reported at the flag ceremony program on Monday that evacuees at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center had already been posted at more than 3,000.

Cases of multiple murder, arson, robbery, grave threats, and grave coercions had already been filed against the suspects and 20 John Does at the Prosecutor’s Office in Lianga town, according to P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, PNP provincial director.  However, warrants of arrest have yet to be issued in this regard.

According to Rivas, Gen. Lactao vowed to help pursue the arrest of the perpetrators.

Among others, the Saturday meeting held at the conference room of the Provincial Governor’s Office was attended by Bishop Odchimar, other church and lumad leaders, top army officials in the province and P/SSupt. Verdadero.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741442279982/army-4id-chief-holds-consultative-meeting-with-lgu-sursur-religious-groups-lumad-leaders