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Zones of War and Peace Eyed in Troubled Paquibato

Councilor Dureza wants to look deeper into reports that non-Lumads are being driven out of Paquibato so Lumads can sell their CADCs to business interests

By Cheryll Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY (March 7, 2006) — A peace zone where civilians can go about their ways and a war zone where parties to the conflict in the area can wage their battle.

These are the things that Councilor Jimmy Dureza, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Peace and Public Safety, wanted to put in place after he was ?deeply bothered? by the escalating trouble in Paquibato District, a flashpoint for the military and the communist New People?s Army.

Dureza told davaotoday.com that he was still finalizing details of the proposals, which he said was urgent considering that Paquibato residents have left their homes and evacuated, particularly in barangays Mapula, Lumiad and Pa?alom, because of the incessant conflict in the hinterland district.

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Reds Exonerate, Release Cafgu Member

Captive says he was forced to become Cafgu member; TFD?s del Rosario calls NPA move ?propaganda?

From left: Councilor Leo Avila, Ka Parago, Rodolfo Adang and Councilor Jimmy Dureza during the turnover Adang on Wednesday. (DAVAOTODAY.COM PHOTO)

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY (March 10, 2006) — “We have no basis to punish him with death.?

These were the words of New People’s Army leader Ka Parago in explaining the release last Wednesday afternoon of Rodolfo Adang, a Lumad member of a paramilitary group who was captured by the Communists in January.

Adang was released to Councilor Jimmy Dureza, who heads the City Council?s Committee on Peace and Public Safety, and Councilor Leo Avila III, who said Parago himself had requested him to be with the group that received Adang from the rebels.

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Continue ReadingReds Exonerate, Release Cafgu Member