NDFP claims those killed in Sunday clash were lumads

DAVAO CITY – The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Southern Mindanao yesterday said those who were killed in an armed clash between military and New People’s Army (NPA) last Sunday in Sitio Datal Bonglangon, Brgy. Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato were members of the T’boli-Manobo S’daf Claimants Organization (Tamasco).

In a press statement issued, Ka Efren Aksasato, NDFP spokesperson in Southern Mindanao, said the Tamasco has been fighting for the tribe’s ancestral lands and was claiming ownership of the land where Silvicultural Industries Inc. of the D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) operates a coffee plantation covering 11,862 hectares.

It said group found out that the government dismissed their claim, and even granted Silvicultural Industries renewal of its Industrial Forest Plantation Management Agreement (IFMA) for another 25 years after it expired last December 2016.

“The NDFP-FSMR strongly condemns this heinous crime and terroristic act perpetrated by the AFP against the civilians. This is clearly an antrocious violation of the human rights and the international humanitarian law,” Aksasato said.

It alleged the lumad residents complained about “incessant intimidation” by the guards employed by the firm ,and government forces.

The military’s 27th Infantry Battalion conducted military operations arrived in the community upon reports of NPA presence in the area.

It said the soldiers approached the house of the chieftain Datu Victor Danyan and opened fire that prompted “the residents, armed with 12-gauge shotguns and indigenous weapons, to fight back.”

Killed were Datu Victor Danyan Sr., Victor Danyan Jr., Artemio Danyan, Pato Celardo, To Diamante, Bobot Lagase, and Mateng Bantal. Also wounded in the clash were Luben Laod and Teteng Laod, and a minor who were taken to a hospital.

In a press release issued by the military on Monday, killed on the military side were PFCs Jovanie P. Tagactac and Max Jay Lord Fernando. There were three soldiers wounded but they are now in stable condition.