NPA says ‘bacteria, poison’ found in AFP, not in landmines

(NPA's Rigoberto) But Sanchez said the military’s statement is “pure invention” saying that the NPA only used “guerrilla warfare weapons, such as but not limited to, command-detonated explosives made up of traditional, non-biologically toxic ingredients.”

Continue ReadingNPA says ‘bacteria, poison’ found in AFP, not in landmines

Beyond military abuses: wresting control from Agusanon Manobos (Last in a 3-part series)

While an international monitoring group points to increased armed conflict between the military and the communist rebels as the culprit of the Lumads’ dislocation, the heart of the matter is the Lumads’ right to control over their rich ancestral domain.

Continue ReadingBeyond military abuses: wresting control from Agusanon Manobos (Last in a 3-part series)

Loreto in ‘state of calamity’ over militarization

JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA Davao Today The Agusanons endured a grueling two-day travel circuiting two provinces. Starting Thursday, they walked four hours from their evacuation center in Barangay Kauswagan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, crossed a river to reach the neighboring Laak, Compostela Valley. Then they took a bus that brought them to Tagum City in Davao del Norte at night. Friday morning they traveled to Prosperidad and held a camp-in until provincial officials responded.The Agusanons took this circuitous route to steer clear of the military.

Continue ReadingLoreto in ‘state of calamity’ over militarization

Abuses, then and now, for Agusanons

By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA Davao Today Juanita Loreto said prior to the military operation, the Bagani members had been going around the community forcing them to sign a "tie-up" agreement with a company to build a plantation for tuba-tuba (jathropa) and biograss."We refused their demand for us to ask to sign a blank paper that would sell-off our land to the company," she said.

Continue ReadingAbuses, then and now, for Agusanons