Lumads get threats from rebels, flee homes

By Ivy C. Tejano
Sunday, November 25, 2012

A TOTAL of 17 lumad families have been evacuated after receiving threats from the New People's Army (NPA) in Marilog, Davao City, the military said.

Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Nigos, chief of the Philippine Army's 84th Infantry Battalion, said lumad families from Purok 26 at Sitio Alon in Malabog were transferred to Barangay Marilog since last November 6 due to fear the NPA rebels will harm them.

According to Datu Tresio Lumuyok, a tribal chieftain in the area, the NPA is allegedly eyeing their village as site for the upcoming 44th anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) next month.

Lumuyok said they learned that Leoncio Pitao, alias Ka Parago, is planning to make their village as their next venue for the communist party's anniversary on December 27. Because of this, Lumuyok said he led his people in moving to a place where they are secured.

Parago is recognized as head of the NPA operating in the hinterlands of Paquibato District in Davao City.

Parago, Lumuyok said, threatened and forced them to took part in the rallies and demonstrations in protest against the presence of the government troops in Marilog.

Lumuyok said residents in Marilog were even suspected as military informants, which he quickly denied.

Nigos said the 84th Infantry Battalion has its intelligence team and there is no need for them to use civilians as informants.

"After seeing how the NPA jeopardize the safety of these families who are just living peacefully in the area, rest assured that our troops will be always alert in our area of responsibility to keep the people here safe," Nigos said.

"It is our mandate to protect the people and not to harm them the reason we like to encourage everyone specially the government leaders to condemn the presence of the NPA so that we can all live peacefully," he added.
Source http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2012/11/25/lumads-get-threats-rebels-flee-homes-255087