LUPON, Davao Oriental – Local leaders belied the accusation of Benedictine nun Sister Stella Matutina on the alleged vilification by 28th Infantry Battalion claiming that she was alluded to be a member of New People’s Army during a barangay assembly held in Lintawan, Lupon, Davao Oriental on March 2.
In an article released on April 27, 2012 by a local newspaper, Matutina lambasted the army as she claimed that 1Lt. Hermie Montelibano said that murdered Italian Priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio was killed because he was an NPA and that she is an NPA only pretending to be a nun.
However, barangay officials present on the said activity denied that it happened. “The allegation of Sr. Matutina against 28th IB has no basis. I was present the entire time during the info-drive and 1Lt. Montelibano did not mention that she is an NPA nor said that Fr. Fausto Tentorio was killed because he was an NPA” said Brgy. Lantawan Chief Arlene Luzon.
She added that the different heads of Lupon LGU and the local populace of Brgy. Lantawan who attended the assembly can also testify.
“1Lt. Montelibano is a champion of my people in addressing the basic needs of the community. As a matter of fact, with the efforts of the 28th IB, numerous water system, health centers and school renovations and constructions were completed, and this barangay is one the beneficiaries.” she added.
“Lives were laid, but these soldiers never cease to protect and help us to uplift our economic situation”, Luzon said.
According to San Isidro Barangay Councilor Emelita Gastardo, the allegations of Matutina, secretary general of Panalipdan Mindanao, started November last year when the nun and other members of Panalipdan insisted to speak before the people present during the assembly in said barangay.
Gastardo remarked in a press conference, they allowed Sr. Matutina to speak as Lt Montelibano requested. “As a sign of respect we let her spoke who, and at that time, she repeatedly called in front of the assembly for the immediate removal of 28th IB in the area.
To be fair, Gastardo said that they also allowed 1Lt. Montelibano to respond. “We also let 1Lt. Montelibano to air his response. He asked if we would want all the soldiers to be pulled out from the barangay. “Us officials, together with the local populace present in the assembly, refused Sr. Matutina’s demand to remove all PDTs in our community. Immediately after that, she and her companions just walked out and left the assembly area,” Gastardo narrated.
“Despite all the words against us, we thank PANALIPDAN MINDANAO, especially Sister Estella MATUTINA, for all their efforts in protecting the environment. We are hopeful that someday, after all the questions they have in mind with regard to our Peace and Development Campaign, they will eventually join us in our efforts in upholding the Million Tree Program”, Lt. Col. Leopoldo Imbang Jr., 28th IB Commander, said.
He also encouraged Panalipdan to join in their efforts to stop illegal logging in the province. “We too, don’t want to see more lives wasted because of flood, with huge logs running over the houses of our brethren and homes being swept away by water during heavy rains,” Lt. Col. Imbang said.
“Let those words be put into action; let these accusations be an opportunity to get more criticizing eyes and draw more people to work hand in hand in protecting the environment and help the nature recover from the abusive hands of some people and that more people help find solutions instead of putting some institutions down despite their efforts to bring peace and development.” Lt. Col. Imbang said. (10thID PA)
No comments:
Post a Comment