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Mindanao IPs cut ties with Reds to promote peace, dev’t

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario

October 18, 2019, 9:07 pm

<p><strong>IP PEACE INITIATIVES.</strong> Eleven leaders of the indigenous peoples (IPs) from Mindanao lead the "Usapang Pangkapayapaan-Usapang Pangkaunlaran" at the Central Luzon forum held in Clark, Pampanga on Friday (Oct. 18, 2019). At the forum, they exposed the exploitation and deception of the CPP-NPA-NDF against tribespeople. <em>(Photo by Marna Del Rosario)</em></p>

IP PEACE INITIATIVES. Eleven leaders of the indigenous peoples (IPs) from Mindanao lead the "Usapang Pangkapayapaan-Usapang Pangkaunlaran" at the Central Luzon forum held in Clark, Pampanga on Friday (Oct. 18, 2019). At the forum, they exposed the exploitation and deception of the CPP-NPA-NDF against tribespeople. (Photo by Marna Del Rosario)

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Leaders of different tribal groups in Mindanao disclosed Friday that they decided to cut their ties with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to promote peace and development not only in their communities but in the entire country.

This, according to indigenous peoples (IPs) leadets during the "Usapang Pangkapayapaan-Usapang Pangkaunlaran" forum in Central Luzon held at the Officers Club of the Philippine Air Force, in this freeport zone.

Datu Awing Apuga, leader of the Ata Manobo Talaingod tribe, said they decided to defect to the government in order to save the youth from the “deception” of the communist terrorist group.

“Maraming kabataan ang nasisira dahil sa kaguluhan kaya pinili na naming lumabas sa kilusan para magkaroon na ng kapayapaan ang aming komunidad at ng buong Pilipinas (There are many youths whose lives were ruined due to violence. That is why we chose to defect from the rebel movement to have peace in our communities and in the entire Philippines)” he said.

Apuga, who is a former leader of the CPP-NPA in their tribe, said they came out in the open to raise awareness on the modus of the communist terrorist group in sowing violence and recruiting new members.

“Okay na kami sa kung anong meron kami ngayon. Di namin kailangan ng ano pang yaman okay na sa amin ang ancestral domain (We are doing well with what we have now. We do not need any wealth. We are alright with the ancestral domain),” he said.

Other IP leaders also shared their respective experiences and sufferings with the CPP-NPA.

They recalled being forced to collect revolutionary taxes in their respective areas in Mindanao.

“Ako po ang napag-atasan mangolekta ng revolutionary tax sa mining industry sa area ko at kahit sa maliliit ng tindahan sa kabayanan para maibigay namin sa kanila (I was tasked to collect revolutionary tax from the mining industry in my area and even from small stores in the town to give to them),” said Bae Magdalina Iligan, of the Mamanwa Manobo tribe.

The IP leaders recently flew to Europe to expose the supposed foreign funds funneled to Philippine organizations that have links to the CPP-NPA. They also rallied the international community to resist the narratives of the rebel group.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)



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