NPA rebels kill lumad leader in North Cotabato, cop exec says

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Police on Thursday blamed communist rebels for the ambush that killed a lumad leader and wounded two other persons in Magpet, North Cotabato on Wednesday.

New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were behind the attack on Antonio Takinan, who also sat at the town council as indigenous peoples (IP) representative, according to Senior Inspector Jose Marie Molina, the Magpet police chief.

Takinan, along with his escort, Rene Soriano; and Barangay Tagbac IP representative Robello Tambunan, had come from the Poblacion and were on two separate motorcycles bound for Barangay Bantac when fired at.

Takinan died there and then, Molina said, while Tambunan and Soriano were wounded.

Molina said prior to the ambush, Takinan, 50, had received threats from local NPA Commander Bobby Rosete. The latest was on March 18.
Takinan had reportedly been criticizing the NPA, which earned the ire of Rosete.

Molina said the slain IP leader was also active in convincing his fellow lumad to join the Civilian Active Auxiliary or CAA instead of providing support to the rebels.

Molina said a pursuit operation had been launched against Takinan’s killers.