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Monday, March 21, 2005
Civil relations chief: Lumads waging war v. rebels
By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE new commander of the 5th Civil Relations Group (CRG) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has confirmed the lumad uprising against New People's Army (NPA) rebels operating in Davao Region.
In the wake of this development, he called on all rebels operating in the area to surrender before being killed by the angry lumads.
Major Roberto Dumalahay said lumads are up in arms against the alleged abuses committed by the NPA rebels in their respective places.
"They are fed up with NPA atrocities for quite sometime and will now fight back against them," Dumalahay said in a statement.
He cited the case of the B'laan tribes who recently ambushed and killed three NPA leaders and six of their followers last March 11 at Sitio Ulongyasong, Barangay Colonsabak, Kiblawan Davao del Sur.
The rebels were said to be on their way to collect revolutionary taxes in the area when the lumads attacked them along the way resulting in the death of three ranking comrades and six others.
The slain leaders were identified as Ka Isah Balbuena, finance and logistic officer; a certain Ka Marlon; and a certain Ka Dacer all of NPA Front Committee 74 operating in hinterlands of Davao del Sur.
The six other NPA members were not identified.
Dumalahay himself belongs to the Higaonon tribe and expressed the sentiments other tribes have against rebels and the "deceitful activities" of the NPA rebels for quite some time now.
He said the rebels have violated the lumad customs and traditions as peace-loving people.
(March 21, 2005 issue)
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