‘Lumad’ in Surigao del Sur villages flee as military pursues NPA

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur—Hundreds of villagers in the hinterland communities of two towns in Surigao del Sur province fled their homes on Saturday in the wake of a military operation against communist rebels.

Norma Ampis, executive director of Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS), said some 200 families started leaving their communities in Lianga town after hearing gunfire near their homes. An undetermined number of families also left their villages in neighboring San Agustin town.

The fleeing Manobo “lumad” (indigenous peoples) in Lianga town are staying in Sitio Simowao in the village of Diatagon, Ampis said.

She said the evacuees told her that soldiers, on board two trucks, arrived in Sitio Neptune on Nov 24.

The soldiers went to Sitio Han-ayan in Barangay Diatagon the following day, causing fear among residents. The village hosts the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, a lumad school.

The Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion said a military operation was launched in the area after a soldier and two government militiamen were killed by a landmine explosion on Nov. 6. The explosive was believed to have been set up by New People’s Army rebels in San Isidro village in Lianga.

The operation in Surigao del Sur came a day after President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360, formally terminating the peace talks with the (NDF).

The President had warned “there will be virulent confrontations” with the NPA now that the talks were off. —CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN