DAVAO CITY – Government troops in Davao Region have continued to gain support from the community in peace and security effort following the move of a lumad community in Kapalong town in Davao del Norte to disarm four members of the New People’s Army NPA).
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesperson Major Ezra Balagtey said on Monday the disarming of the four NPA members, who are also lumads, showed that the Indigenous Political Structure is at work.
Balagtey said the lumads led by tribal leaders disarmed the NPA members when they came to So Mangkay in Barangay Gupitan on late Friday afternoon.
The four rebels fled for safety. The NPA members were identified as Renard Catarata alias SM/Tata/Ariel, alias Yumi, alias Kid and a certain Alex. Catarata is reportedly a known commander in the area.
Seized from the NPA were five high-powered firearms consisting of an M4. These were turned over by the community to Sgt Henry Himtog of Kapatagan Detachment at Sitio Kapatagan, Barangay Gupitan on the evening of March 10.
Balagtey said the lumads were fed up of being deceived and coerced by the NPA prompting them to do disarm the four NPA members.
The disarming of the NPA was the first action from the lumad community since President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to reject the communist organization. The President even offered to pay PHP20,000 bounty for every slain NPA member. The army troops were thankful to the lumads.
According to Lt. Col. Gilbert Ombos, commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion, it was an effort of the community to stop violence and coercion against lumads.
“We appreciate the effort of the community, this should drive a message to the NPA that they are not welcome in the communities, we want to reiterate that rebels who willfully return to the folds of the law will be given assistance and help will be made available to those who would surrender, but for those who will insist to continue using violence to instill fear to the community cannot forever run away from the long arm of the law,” Ombos said.
When they turned over the firearms, the lumads also facilitated the surrender of 17 “Milisya ng Bayan” and one NPA identified as alias Odin.
In a press statement, Major General Noel S Clement, Commander of the 10th Infantry Brigade, lauded the unit and local government’s effort and peace initiatives for the IP communities.
“The 10ID will continue on collaborating with LGUs and all stakeholders in order that this accomplishment will radiate to other parts of our Area of responsibility. As for the incentives, we will coordinate with the concerned agency so that the IPs will benefit on their effort to regain peace in the community,” Clement said. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
