DAVAO CITY — The New People’s Army on Saturday admitted on the killing of Ricardo Sulhayan last October 7 in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
Cesar Renerio, National Democratic Front spokesperson said Sulhayan is a member of the Bungkatol Liberation Front – Task Force Gantangan (BULIF-TFG) which, the NPA claims, is involved in taking away the lands owned by some Higaonons “to facilitate entry of logging and sell it to local and foreign investors.”
The group is also responsible in killing and threatening Lumads who refuse to join them, said Renerio.
Renerio said Sulhayan was riding his motorcycle on October 7 at around 2:30 pm when a team of the NPA’s blocked him in Barangay Camagong, Nasipit.
“The NPA’s meant to arrest him and have him persecuted before the People’s Court when he resisted,” said Renerio.
Renerio said Sulhayan was shot five times resulting to his instantaneous death
He said Sulhayan is a member of Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) “with ID number RES-AO7-E-M 3064 and a rank of Sargeant.
He said the Army provides arms to Lumad paramilitary groups.
“Groups like the BULIF are used to scare the community and restrict their struggle fo self determination so that foreign and local logging and mining interests can easily enter the area. They are legitimate targets of NPA actions,” he said.
The NPAs also informs Sulhayan’s family that they will turnover his personal belongings and money amounting to P7,700 through a local radio station.
Meanwhile, the NPA denied involvement in the disappearance of a Lumad identified as Serino Bustillo, a resident of Sitio Malahoni, in Barangay Camagong last October 8, and the killing of civilians Eunilo Pitogo and Cresencia Pitogo.
Renerio said the Pitogos were killed by members of Calpit Egwa and Romeo Banusan’s group in Sitio Inagawan, Barangay La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur last October 1. (davaotoday.com)
