|
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Abducted natives commit abuses v. people: Rebel head
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- New People's Army (NPA) leader Leonardo Pitao alias Kumander Parago said the three naives they abducted in Paquibato district last January 25 have committed abuses against the people in the area.
Parago in a statement said this is the reason why they abducted the three lumads identified as Rudy Adang, a barangay councilman and a militiaman, Tony Lige and Inggo Lintanod, both farmers.
He said the three are actually militiamen and not plain farmers as the military claimed.
"Ang tulo ka para-militar apil sa listahan sa mga target sa operasyon sa NPA batok sa mga yunit, opisyal ug elemento sa pasistang armadong kusog sa reaksyonaryong rehimeng US-Arroyo nga dunay mga salaod ug krimen batok sa katawhan ug sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan," Parago said.
Parago said Adang is a member of Citizens of the Armed Forces Geographical Unit while Lige and Lintanod are part of the Alamara.
He added that the three lumads are active combatants in the para-military operations, which are directly organized by the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Parago said the three were involved in various military, both combat and non-combat, operations against the NPA.
The lumads are now facing NPA investigation.
But Parago assured that their rights would be respected while under investigation.
Parago heads the 1st Pulang Bagani Company Merardo Arce Command Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command of the NPA.
He reportedly demanded five M-14 rifles in exchange for the freedom of the three lumads.
Ridiculous
However, Colonel Eduardo del Rosario of Task Force Davao branded Parago's demand as "ridiculous."
Del Rosario said the lumads do not have the resources to produce the rifles.
He added that the Philippine Army is now doing its best to rescue the hostages.
The Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Rolly Bautista had been conducting military operation in the Paquibato area for the past three days now.
Del Rosario said their main mission is to rescue the hostages.
He, however, added that if ever Parago's group would put up a fight, then his men would not hesitate to defend themselves.
Del Rosario warned Parago that if he goes on with his atrocities against the lumads in the mountains, time would come that he'll suffer the same fate as those of the relatives of the lumads he killed.
"It is highly possible that the lumads will retaliate not against the NPA rebels but on the families of the rebels," del Rosario said, adding that Parago has families in Paquibato, Panabo, and Davao City. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(February 5, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Cebu solon braces for probe on fertilizer funds