NPA accuses Guingona of land grabbing thru proxy

The New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday lambasted Gingoog City Mayor Marie Guingona for allegedly using a Lumad leader to carryout land-grabbing activities in Sitio Talangitog, barangay Eureka, Gingoog City.

In a statement, the rebels said they disarmed Datu Keke Ansihagan last August 25, and seized from his possession a shotgun, a carbine rifle, an Ingram, a KG9, four .45 caliber pistols, and a homemade shotgun.

Also seized were one rifle scope, a hand-held radio, and several ammunition.

Ansihagan, however, reportedly was able to evade the rebels.

The NPA said they believe Ansihagan allowed Guingona to ‘use’ him through a government project called National Greening Program (NGP).

The program, the rebels said, paved the way for a falcata plantation to be put up and displace some 300 lumad families.

The NPA rebels also accused Ansihagan of organizing paramilitary groups called Alimaong and BULIF as well as asking a P10 ‘toll fee’from motorists passing the sitio.

Ansihagan also allegedly managed to have P25 deducted from the wages of workers he supposedly arranged to be hired by Equiparco, a road construction company.

“Gipasulod tuod niya ang mga Lumad ngadto sa pagpanarbaho sa maong kompanya, apan kuhaan niya og P25.00 ang matag adlaw nga suholan niini,” the NPA said.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Carandang, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, said they have stepped up security measures in the area to prevent the NPA rebels from harassing the community.

Carandang pointed out that the seized firearms from Ansihagan were actually guns for hunting.

“Kawawa yung mga kapatid nating lumad na nakunan ng kanilang gamit na pangangaso, actually yung mga lumad ay galit sa kanila doon. Parang ayaw talaga nila ng development na binibigay ng gobyerno sa kanila,” he said.

“Pinaigting na natin ang seguridad ng Gingoog, kasi yung mga tao doon, talagang all out na ang support at cooperation sa atin na ireport ang mga suspicious activities. Yung mga NPA ay hindi na kasi sila maka-operate sa mga military encampments kaya dito sila nangha-harass sa communities na mismo,” he added.

On Thursday, Carandang said an encounter between the military and the rebels occurred at barangay Bantaawan.

He said the military were able to stop the rebels from building a training camp in the area.

“Makakasiguro yung publiko na pag natapos na ang gulo sa Marawi, mas mabibigyang diin na natin ang kampanya for developments in the hinterlands,” he added.