Army blames NPA for killing of tribal chief in Agusan Sur

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines — The military said on Thursday, suspected communist guerrillas killed a tribal chieftain in Nasipit town, Agusan del Sur, on Wednesday.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division, identified the victim as Datu Ricardo Sulhayan, 37, married, chieftain of Higaonon tribe in Sitio (Sub-village) Mimbahandi, Camagong village.

Martinez, in a statement, said Sulhayan was killed on his way home on a motorcycle around 1:30 p.m.

Upon reaching Kilometer 8, Sitio Balaatan, Sulhayan was shot in the forehead and in the arms by several gunmen using AK-47 rifles, killing him instantly, said Martinez.

“According to Datu Sulhayan’s people, the NPA (New People’s Army) has long been trying to get him and his tribe’s support,” Martinez said.

“However, Datu Sulhayan kept on refusing. His family was threatened after that,” added the Army spokesperson.

Police from Nasipit have started investigating the killing.

Major Gen. Oscar Lactao, 4th ID spokesperson, condemned the killing of Sulhayan.

“This would create another cycle of violence in the area. There is a need to put an end to this,” Lactao said, adding the Army would support the Philippine National Police in the manhunt for the NPA perpetrators. SFM