Gov’t forces chasing killers of school exec, ‘lumad’–Palace

Malacañang on Sunday said the military and the police were going after the paramilitary men believed behind the killing of a school director and two Manobo lumad residents and the razing of a building in Surigao del Sur.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also said the Department of Public Works and Highways was responding to the needs of 2,000 people forced to flee their homes in Barangay (village) Diatogon following the killings allegedly perpetrated by members of the Mahagat-Bagani group.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel has called the group a “monster created by the military.”

“We are trying to respond to the situation because it’s a complicated one. There is an element of insurgency. There is also an element of (other) conflicts in those areas,” Coloma said over state radio.

“We are trying to ensure that this would not create (more) apprehensions because the indigenous people are included in our peace process.”

Coloma said the Philippine Army had sent the 4th Infantry Division to support the Philippine National Police in pursuing the paramilitary group behind the burning of a community cooperative building and the Sept. 1 killing of three residents of Surigao del Sur.

The victims included Emerico Samarca, executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development.

Coloma said the police and the military were coordinating with the local government and with Pimentel.

Coloma said the killings had prompted barangay residents, including indigenous people, to evacuate their areas.—Christine O. Avendaño