Villagers leave home due to NPA harassment

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 7): Villagers leave home due to NPA harassment
Villagers leave home due to NPA harassment
Hundreds of residents in a remote village in Maragusan town left their homes after they were allegedly harassed by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in exchange for food.

About 1,000 residents of Sitio Kawyapi, Barangay Langgawisan in Maragusan, started to evacuate on Tuesday afternoon following the arrival of the NPA in the area.

The lawless elements were forcing residents to give them food. The people evacuated to nearby Barangay Talian of Maragusan as of posting time.

In a sketchy report, the residents in the area were used by the NPA as human shield against the operating troops of a 66th infantry battalion.

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, the commander of 66th Infantry battalion, however, clarified that the residents were not being hostage by the rebels as reported earlier.

"Tanghali dumating yung NPA so nagtakbuhan yung mga tao. Galing Manay, Davao Oriental tapos pagpunta nila doon may hinahanap sila kaya natakot yung mga resident. Nag fo-force na maghingi ng pagkain may iba nag sira ng bahay (The NPA arrived noon so the people ran away. They (NPA) came from Manay, Davao Oriental and when they arrived there they were looking for someone so the people were afraid. They were forcing people for food while others were destroying houses)," Parungao said.

But Parungao said the NPA members had no intention to hostage and "we do not want to attack them because there are still (civilian) people in the community," Parungao said.

Parungao could not determine the number of armed men holding in the area but they belong to Guerilla front 15 and Pulang Bagani Company (PBC) 8 of the NPA.

According to Parungao, the incident proves the people do not support the rebel groups already. He said the people used to support the NPA.

For now, the Maragusan LGU and other agencies are providing the needs of the evacuees. Parungao said the 66th IB had provided additional forces near the area to secure the community.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024443