Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Lumads used licensed firearms in defending themselves during Agusan attack-PNP

DAVAO CITY, July 16 (PIA)  Authorities affirmed that the weapons used by the indigenous peoples in quelling  the attack against a tribal chieftain by the communist rebels in Barangay Sta. Irene, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur 5:30 am in July 15 were licensed firearms. The incident left 13 rebels and four indigenous peoples killed and several others wounded including a tribal leader.

  Speaking at the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Senior Superintendent Pedro Urbano Obaldo Jr., deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office 13 said 15 firearms attributed to Datu Calpito Egua have corresponding permits issued by the Philippine National Police. He said Datu Calpit could have been attacked by the rebels because of his strong stance against extortion through the revolutionary taxes being demanded by the rebels from the people in the area.

 Obaldo said the Tuesday attack was the fourth attempt to kill Datu Calpit. “The police recognize his group especially his eagerness to fight the communist rebels,” Obaldo said. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command said rebels from fronts eight and 19 joined forces and attacked the lair of Datu Calpit in Barangay Sta. Irene. He said Datu Calpit had been at odds with the rebels since year 2000. Paniza said Calpit used to support the rebel movement but switched alliance when he noticed that they were being duped by their comrades. He said Calpit and his tribesmen are grantees of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title.

 “They have licensed firearms purposely to defend their community,” Paniza said.  He said security forces responded to assist Datu Calpit but were blocked by a series of encounters with the rebels along the Agusan-Davao National Highway. Superintendent Bayting, chief investigator of the Police Regional Office 13 said that Datu Calpit has 15 firearms based on the Firearm Management Identification System of Camp Crame.

 He said an off-duty civilian auxiliary led the armed civilians in defending themselves consequently killing 13 rebels. Bayting said four lumad defenders were killed in the incident. He said only Joseph Tahora y Cainong, alleged secretary of the front committee eight was identified among the rebels killed.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

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