'Lumad' families flee military operations in Davao Oriental

By Jeffrey M. Tupas

Mindanao Bureau

First Posted 17:38:00 02/10/2008

DAVAO CITY, Philippines--At least 410 "lumad" (indigenous) families or 2,500 people from several towns in Davao Oriental were forced to leave their homes in the past two weeks following intensified government operations against communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, a human rights group said on Sunday.

Of those who fled, 330 families came from the hinterland villages of San Victor and Kampawan in Baganga, Karapatan reported. Those living in the outskirts of San Victor sought refuge in the village center while those in Kampawan went to Barangay (Village) Lambajon.

In the village of Kabasagan, the boundary of Boston and Cateel towns, 112 families also left their homes.

Karapatan alleged that the anti-NPA operations resulted in a number of abuses, including illegal arrests, torture and abductions of civilians.

Kelly Delgado, secretary general of Karapatan, said the military conducted aerial bombings in civilian-populated areas.

He said they considered the operations to have reached alarming proportions because of the increasing number civilians affected.

Lt. Col. Rolando Bautista, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the bombings were an "offshoot of an encounter between the military and the NPA on Jan. 30 where a number of our soldiers gave their lives for others."

"We have to employ all our assets to destroy the formidable enemy. The bombings were precise and accurate purposely to ease the pressure on our troops who are in a disadvantageous position," Bautista said.

A brigade of soldiers arrived in the coastal city of Mati on Saturday after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced in Tagum City the creation of the Investment Defense Force (IDF), composed of soldiers assigned to secure mining sites and other projects against the NPA.

Davao Oriental is a known mineral-rich province that has attracted several transnational mining companies, including BHP Billiton of the United Kingdom.

On Jan. 30, at least eight soldiers were killed when NPA rebels ambushed a military patrol in Barangay (village) Kampawan, Baganga.

Bautista said the beefing up of military forces aimed "to address the reported consolidation of NPA and destroy them to conduct raids or attacks on soft areas in Davao Oriental."

But Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna, Eastern Mindanao commander, said the troop movement was only meant to position the soldiers back to where they were before. He belied the claim that a brigade-sized troop was sent to Davao Oriental.

Luna, however, admitted that the soldiers were pursuing the rebels in the province, which is under their area of responsibility.

"It’s the weather. The weather allows us to penetrate their areas… we are approaching summer and this does not hamper our troops’ movements," Luna said.

Asked about the evacuees, Luna said they left their areas in order to protect the interest of the NPA