‘Lumad’ leader killed in 2nd attempt on his life

CAGAYAN de Oro City—A lumad leader based in Opol, Misamis Oriental, who survived an assassination attempt in December last year, was killed by unidentified assailants here, police said.

Supt. Danildo Tumanda said Landong Sadrac, also chair of Barangay Limonda in Opol, was walking on Cruz-Taal Street here around 5 p.m. Tuesday, when attacked by a still undetermined number of armed men.

The victim was rushed to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Tumanda said Sadrac died from multiple gunshot wounds.

“We are looking at grudge as the possible motive,” said Tumanda.

Datu Norberto Puasan, also a tribal leader in Opol, said Sadrac might have been killed due to his pursuit of ancestral domain claims on behalf of Higaonon natives in the town.

“He headed Higaonon claimants for ancestral domain areas in the towns of Opol, Manticao and Naawan,” Puasan said.

Puasan described Sadrac as a “thorn in the heart of big capitalists” in the mining areas of the towns.

Chief Insp. Rogelio Labor, Opol police chief, said armed men also tried to kill Sadrac last year as he came out of a cockpit in Barangay Igpit. The first attack was also linked to mining rivalry. Tito Fiel and Bobby Lagsa, Inquirer Mindanao