Mindanao IPs come forward, offer help to end insurgency

Another IP member, Datu Diolito Diarog, said dozens of IPs have been killed for the communists’ cause and whenever they refuse to bow to the CPP-NPA and the laws it imposes. (PNA File Photo)

MANILA — Worn out from the conflict brought by the communist movement in the region, some members of the indigenous people (IP) on Wednesday called on the government to intensify efforts to get rid of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Mindanao.

Datu Ramon Dayaan, in an interview with the DWDD radio on Monday, said he is willing to lend a hand to the government in ending the decades-long insurgency in area.

“Gusto na naming tapusin ang laban na ito dahil kami ang kawawa, kami ang pinapatay. Itong grupo namin, gusto naming tumulong sa gobyerno para kung may maitulong kami, itutulak namin para matapos na itong laban na ito (We would like to end this fight because we are ones badly affected, we are the ones who are killed. Our group wants to help the government to end this insurgency),” he said.

Another IP member, Datu Diolito Diarog, said dozens of IPs have been killed for the communists’ cause and whenever they refuse to bow to the CPP-NPA and the laws it imposes.

“Ang nangyari sa ancestral domains, naging front. Mayroon na silang batas na in-impose sa tribo, kaya ‘yong iba ayaw sumapi, ‘yong iba takot kaya sumasapi (Our ancestral domains became fronts. They have laws they want to impose on the tribes so many joined [the communist movement] out of fear),” he said.

He said those who defy the communist laws were killed.

Although he fears for his life after coming forward, Diarog committed to testify against the group and asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to guarantee their security once they return to their homes.

“Kami ay nakakaranas rin ng takot… Sana magkaroon din ng programa ang gobyerno para sa amin dahil talagang mapapatay kami pag-uwi namin (We also fear for our lives. We hope the government comes up with a program for us because we could be killed when we go back home,” he said.

Dayaan shared similar sentiments but assured the government of his cooperation.

“Kung di naman ako aabot ng 200 years, ang importante may kabuluhan buhay ko na makatulong sa tao at matigil na ang NPA sa aming pamayanan (Even if I don’t live up to 200 years old, what is important is that my life has meaning and I dedicate it to help my fellowmen and stop the NPA in our community),” he said.

Last year, tribal leaders representing the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Council of Elders (MIPCEL) cited several human rights violations committed by the CPP-NPA against IPs.

The list called “17 atrocities” committed by the communist group was submitted to the Commission on Human Rights as well as the Philippine National Police, which is currently looking into the alleged violations by collating all affidavits of the tribal leaders and victims.

The 17 atrocities include the June 25, 1989 massacre in the village of Rano, Barangay Binaton, Digos, Davao del Sur, where 39 churchgoers were massacred by armed men believed to members of the NPA.

Records obtained from the Police Regional Office in Region-11 (Davao Region) showed there are already more than 300 IPs reported killed by the NPA from 1983 to 2007 — most of them from Region 11 (114 killed) and Region 13 or Caraga Region with 110.

From 2012 to 2017, the recorded killings reached 87, PRO-11 records showed.