MANILA -- The Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) destroyed what was once a peaceful region in Mindanao, former Lumad NPA members said.
In a documentary produced by Sambayanan, former Lumad NPA members revealed that killings became rampant since the time the CPP-NPA entered their area.
Datu Manlig-Onan Rolando Lanapan, former Lumad NPA leader in Agusan del Norte, admitted that they were easily lured by the doctrines of the CPP-NPA.
“It became bad, because it has become so chaotic and killing was rampant (within the tribes). There was no respect between siblings, to relatives, even parents, and no more others where everyone is killing due to the doctrine introduced by the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Lanapan said in the vernacular.
Ranny Undayon, a former Lumad NPA leader in Northern Mindanao, said prior to joining the NPA, his heart was patriotic for the people, but later on realized that the NPA’s activities were not really for the people’s good.
“Yung sinapihan kong NPA hindi naman akma yung trabaho naming mga ground commander dun sa mga plano para sa katauhan (The NPA that I joined failed to put our work on the ground as ground commanders on the plans for the good of the people),” Undayon said.
Another former Lumad NPA leader in Agusan del Norte, Datu Revise Mandahinog, said he experienced deceptions by the CPP-NPA when they took advantage of his grandfather’s death.
“I remember then on 1973 that my great grandfather Datu Mangkalasi Sr. was killed by then capitalist NALCO (Nasipit Lumber Company), the entire tribe here in Agusan del Norte declared a Magahat (tribal war declaration), then after that the rebel group CPP-NPA took advantage of the opportunity,” Mandahinog said in their local language.
Datu Bawang Eddie Ampiyawan supported Mandahinog’s claim as he narrated how the CPP-NPA promised to help them fight the NALCO.
“Ginagamit nila ang NALCO na maging kadahilanan para ang tribo sumali sa kilusang CPP-NPA-NDF. (Their true motive was to use NALCO as a reason for the tribe to join the CPP-NPA-NDF),” Ampiyawan said.
The US State Department and the European Union have tagged the CPP-NPA as terrorist groups. (PNA)
