World News – CA – Leader IP, 2 others killed in Surigao del Sur ambush

By Azer Parrocha
October 4, 2020, 6:50 p.m.

MANILA – An indigenous peoples (PI) leader and two other companions were killed in an ambush on Sunday afternoon by suspected Communist rebels in Lianga, Surigao del Sur

According to the initial report of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Datu Hawudon Jumar Bucales, of the Manobo tribe, and seven other people are reportedly heading to Brgy San Isidro after being ambushed by a twenty fully armed men, suspected of being members of the Communist Terrorist Group – New Popular Army (CTG-NPA) at around 1.30 p.m.

The report adds that Alberto dela Peña and Artemio Moldes, both members of the Manobo tribe, were also killed in the ambush, while two other people identified as Ronald Acevedo and Oluver Rosaldo were injured

He backed the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020, saying it will help IP communities avoid harassment, extortion and killings by communist rebels

Bucales had previously issued statements against the NPA and other party-list groups and led the closure of Lumad schools in Surigao del Sur

Last month, he and Datu Rico Maca challenged Bayan Muna Party-list Rep Eufemia Cullamat to travel to Surigao del Sur and investigate the NPA killings of members of his tribe

Bucales joined NCIP President Allen Capuyan and NCIP 13 Regional Director Marlon P Bosantog during inter-agency visits to IP communities in Region 13 last August and September

He also joined the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Education schools which replaced the lumad schools and the Philippine tribal program in Surigao del Sur, which he personally dismantled and closed in 2017

Last Saturday, a relative of Datu Rico Maca, also one of the supporters of NTF-ELCAC, identified as Ariel Guinsod Maca, was also killed

These are already the 11th and 12th murders committed by suspected NPA rebels in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur since March of this year (PNA)

The Philippine News Agency is an online news service of the Philippine government under the supervision of the Office of News and Information (NIB) of the Presidential Office of Communications (PCO)

Surigao del Sur, Philippines, earthquake, National Commission of Indigenous Peoples, new people’s army