Lumad leader declares all-out war vs NPA

DAVAO CITY – “We are now declaring all out war against the communists New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao.” Such was the declaration made by Datu Danilo Apas, also known as Datu Malapandow, leader of the Langilan-Manobo tribe in Davao del Norte in a phone interview with the Manila Bulletin Thursday morning.

Datu Apas issued the declaration following the murder of Loreto, Agusan del Sur Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl believed to have been perpetrated by the NPAs in the area.

“Daku kaayo namong kasakit ning sunodsunod nga pagpatay sa mga politikong tribu ug ubang pang traditional leaders nga gipasipad-an niining mga teroristang rebelde nga komunista (We are saddened by the number of killings of our political and traditional leaders done by the terrorists communist rebels),” Apas said.

Long list of Lumad killings He pointed out that a total of 131 Lumad leaders from Davao region and 356 in CARAGA region have been executed by the NPAs from 1998 to 2008.

Apas said his group is now consolidating data on Lumad killings from 2009 to present.

“All of the victims were given no justice,” he stressed.

Apas said they considered Mayor Otaza as a trusted leader in Mindanao who worked for the welfare of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and supported various programs and projects aimed at uplifting the living conditions of Lumad communities in Mindanao.

IP meeting Apas said the all-out war or “Pangayaw” will be discussed on the upcoming meeting of around 300 IP leaders from various parts in Mindanao.

“We already agreed to meet by the second week of November. We will discuss in details the all-out war we will wage against the communist rebels in Mindanao.”

Apas did not disclose the venue of the meet-

ing for security reasons.

Getting rid of NPAs He said they will activate the 10,000-strong Bagani forces in Mindanao to drive the NPA rebels out of their ancestral lands.

Apas also scored the Aquino government for what he described as a deliberate disregard of their plight, especially the killings of their leaders.

“Wala man unta mi labot aning kasamok tali sa gobyerno ug sa rebeldeng komunista (We have nothing to do with this war between the communists and the government).”

‘PNoy all talk…’

Apas said the Lumad communities were only dragged into the problem because of the neglect of the national government.

“Kining atong presidente wala gyud naglihok. Kanunay lang siya nagsulti kita ang iyang amo pero puro istorya lang, wala gyud siya nahimo alang kanamo nga mga tribu (This president of ours did not act. He always said we are his boss but only in words and has done nothing to us tribal people.”) Apas stressed.

Off limits to PNP, AFP Apas also pointed out that the upcoming tribal meeting and all-out war will be their own initiative and they will not allow the military and the police to participate.

“Our war or Pangayaw is different because it is based on our culture and tradition. The military and police are also fighting the communists but based on the laws of the land.”

Apas warned the 10,000-strong Bagani forces will definitely crush the NPA rebels in Mindanao whom he accused of abusing and manipulating the Lumad communities.

Meanwhile, Eastern Mindanao Command chief information officer Captain Alberto Caber told the Manila Bulletin that the military will continue to protect the Lumad communities from harassments and attacks of NPAs.