IPs denounce NPA atrocities in Sultan Kudarat

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines –A group of Indigenous Peoples in Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday launched a lighting rally here condemning the communist New Peoples’ Army which celebrated its 50th founding anniversary.

Some 30 members of the Manobo Dulangan tribe formed a line in front of the Soccsksargen regional center in Barangay Carpenter here between 9 to 10 a.m., chanting: “NPA mangingilad (NPA deceitful),” “NPA terorista (terrorist).”

Bai Nenita Billones, an IP tribal leader and a certain “Ka Jason,” a Manobo and former NPA who recently surrendered to the government, led the protesters.

The IPs had their faces covered and held placards as they demanded that the communist rebels stop “terrorizing” IP communities in the mountains of Sultan Kudarat.

Some of the protesters are former NPAs who already surrendered to the government. They also demanded that the NPA cease from recruiting IPs in the mountains, especially minors.

Meanwhile, the protesting IPs denied claims by militant groups that a massacre took place in December 2017 between the group of Commander Datu Victor and elements of the 27th and 33rd Infantry Battalions.

“There was no massacre, it was a legitimate encounter and soldiers also helped the injured followers of Datu Victor after the fighting by bringing the injured rebels to the hospital,” the IPs said.

The group peacefully dispersed after a few minutes. An amateur video about the lighting protest was posted on Facebook.  /muf