200 families flee from fighting between Army, NPA rebels in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Philippines – Residents of at least four villages in Magpet, North Cotabato, have fled their homes to safety as the military has been pounding on the positions of New People’s Army rebels since Monday, a non-government organization said Wednesday.

Norma Capuyan, chair of the Apo Sandawa Lumadnong Panaghi-usa sa Cotabato (ASLPC), told a radio station here that at least 200 families – mostly from the Manobo community – left their homes in the villages of Doles, Amabel, Noa and Bantac following the clashes between soldiers and NPA rebels in Barangay Amabel.

A member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), identified as Daniel Masang, was killed in the clashes.

Lt. Nasrullah Sema, chief of the civil-military operation of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers have conducting a clearing operation and they have been firing mortar shells to drive the rebels farther away.

Capuyan, meanwhile, said some evacuees have been suspected of being NPA supporters. Several have been harassed and abused, such as a Manobo man who was allegedly tied up by the soldiers who accused him of being an NPA, said Capuyan.

“Ten men were also made to line up under the heat of the sun for several hours as they were questioned about being NPA supporters,” Capuyan said.

Sema denied Capuyan’s claims but he said the military was encouraging those who might have been abused by soldiers to come forward and file charges.

“Sanctions will be implemented if they (the soldiers) really committed human rights violations,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

Capuyan also claimed the evacuees had not received any assistance from the Magpet government. Mayor Efren Piñol has denied Capuyan’s claim.

Piñol told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone that when they got information of the mass evacuation, he immediately instructed the municipal social welfare office help to the affected residents.

“In fact and in truth, my executive assistant personally led the giving of food to the affected families,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NPA said the clashes were the result of the rebels’ tactical offensive plan in Magpet as cases of rampant abuses by soldiers were rising.

“The Army has intensified its already abusive operations to pave the way for the entry of Japanese investors Hitocho Group of Companies. The military has waved its baton of terror, as it plays escort to protect the aggressive expansion of banana plantations in the area,” Isabel Santiago, a rebel spokesperson, said in email statement. The military said it would relentlessly pursue the rebels.

Col. Prudencio Asto, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, said that since the operation began a dew days ago, the military has already captured six major camps in Magpet and nearby areas.

Asto said the military believed that the bombardment of NPA enclaves resulted in fatalities on the rebels’ side but figures were difficult to ascertain.

“But civilians who fled the encounter sites told ground troops of NPA casualties,” he said.