NPAs admit killing IP leader in Cotabato town

KIDAPAWAN CITY – The New Peoples’ Army (NPA) operating in North Cotabato and Bukidnon provinces admitted killing a leader of the indigenous peoples (IP) in Magpet town for his alleged active participation in intelligence gathering and military offensives against the rebel movement.Ka Isabel Santiago, spokesperson for the Mount Apo Sub-Regional Command of the NPA Southern Mindanao Region, said they meted out what they termed as ‘revolutionary justice’ against Antonio P. Takinan, IP mandatory representative for the municipality of Magpet and his brother-in-law Robilio Tambunan, also an IP mandatory representative of Barangay Tagbak in Magpet.On April 4, Takinan and Tambunan were onboard a motorcycle headed towards Barangay Tagbak in Magpet when ambushed by suspects who identified themselves as NPAs.Takinan died on the spot while Tambunan fought back, got injured, and escaped, according to Santiago.Santiago admitted having seized from Takinan a caliber 45 pistol.For Santiago, The standing order against the two IP leaders stemmed from their active intelligence gathering activities, forced recruitment of indigenous peoples for the paramilitary CAFGU Bagani fighters, and assisting the military in its combat operations that resulted in grave human rights and international humanitarian law violations .The NPAs blamed Takinan when the Army’s 39thIB allegedly launched indiscriminate mortar shelling and aerial bombardment of the lumad communities on December 21 last year.Santiago accused Takinan of helping the Army’s 19thIB to force civilians to either surrender or admit to being supporters of the NPA.Last week, leaders of the IPs in Magpet condemned the killing of Takinan and sought security and protection from the Army.The Army has yet to issue its statement on Takinan’s murder.