200 leave Sarangani village due to alleged NPA threats

MANILA, Philippines—About 200 people, mostly members of a tribal community in Sarangani province, have left  their homes due to threats by communist rebels, the military said Tuesday.

“The New People’s Army could not get the support from residents of San Juan village in Malungon town so they are asking them to leave,” said Captain Rey Balibagoso, public affairs officer of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade.

The residents fled their homes at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday and moved to the village hall.

Only last week, communist rebels abducted two barangay (village) kagawad but released them the next day. They were reportedly used as human shield against security forces.

The rebels threatening the community were led by Manuel Garduque known as Dodong Sidlak of Guerrilla Front 75. They fired their guns as they asked the residents to leave, Balibagoso said.

The local government through its local disaster risk reduction and management council is doing its efforts to help the displaced persons, mostly members of the B’laan tribe.

Balibagoso said they are conducting security operations but declined to give more details. – Frances Mangosing

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