Google map of Cabanglasan town, Bukidnon province.
IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon -- The Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) of the 4th Infantry Division has denounced the killing of a tribal leader in neighboring Cabanglasan town.
Police identified the victim as Datu Mario Agsab, a chieftain of the Umayamnon tribe, who was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen at his residence in Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan.
Lt. Colonel Ronald Illana, 8IB commander, described Agsab Thursday as "strong partner of our unit in attaining peace".
"The late Datu Agsab was known and respected Lumad leader who always engages with 8IB in all activities for peace and development. In fact, he was the one who facilitated the mass surrender of 118 NPA members and supporters," Illana said, referring to the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Illana added that the tribal chieftain "was known for his strong belief and resistance against the NPA-terrorist group, hinting that the rebels were responsible for the killing.
The Army official noted that Agsab was instrumental in the military's launching of the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) in Brgy. Iba, Cabanglasan, on June 28, where hundreds of residents benefited from various services offered by participating government agencies.
He also dismissed the allegation from a leftist group that a paramilitary group connected with the military was responsible for Agsab's killing, describing it as "propaganda of those who want to destroy us".
Kalumbay, a left-leaning Indigenous People’s group alleged that the paramilitary group Alamara was behind the tribal chieftain's killing, without offering any evidence.
The 8IB said Kalumbay's allegation was expected, coming as it did from a group long suspected of having ties with the communist rebels.
Illana said the allegation was "baseless and malicious" since the suspects named by Kalumbay did not appear in the ongoing police investigation.
Meanwhile, Brig. General Rafael Santiago Jr., Police Regional Office-10 director, condemned the killing of Agsab and vowed a speedy investigation on the case.
“I have ordered the provincial director of Bukidnon to assist the chief of police of Cabanglasan town in the investigation for the immediate resolution of the incident. I extend my condolences to the bereaved family,” Santiago said. (PNA)
