“I thank the NPA that even though I only sprained my ankle when we ran for safety after the blast, they still included me in the indemnification. And I thank them for admitting responsibility. They truly are sincere,” said Primitiva Dadula, 56.
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The civilian casualties of the September 1 grenade blast incident thanked the National Democratic Front for the “indemnification” it awarded through the Third Party Facilitator Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) yesterday in Fatima village, Paquibato district, some two hours away by land from this city’s downtown area.
“I thank the NPA (New People’s Army) for admitting their mistake and for the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) for giving help,” said Marvin Polinar, 20, a resident in this village.
Polinar said he’s grateful that aside from paying for his medical expenses, the indemnification amounting to 5,000 pesos (USD 120) can help him with food and other expenses as he has not been able to work after sustaining wounds following the NPA’s grenade throwing incident.
Polinar who grows bananas and cacao was hit by two pieces of shrapnel smaller than a corn kernel on the lower portion of his back. When he was brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in downtown Davao, a piece of shrapnel was taken-out by the doctor while the other piece was allowed natural ejection using antibiotics.
“I thank the NPA that even though I only sprained my ankle when we ran for safety after the blast, they still included me in the indemnification. And I thank them for admitting responsibility. They truly are sincere,” said Primitiva Dadula, 56.
Still recuperating from her sprain, Dadula said she wasn’t able to attend to her farm. However, she considered herself lucky because she wasn’t hurt that bad.
“I thanked the NPA for fulfilling their promise of indemnification,” said Lemuel Puzon, 15, a fourth year high school student of Binowang National High School.
Puzon was hit with a splinter on his back. He will have to undergo operation to remove the shrapnel from his body.
“I forgive them (NPA) but I’m hoping that it will never happen again,” Puzon said.
On September 1, not less than 50 individuals, including women and children, became casualties when a team of the NPA’s 1st Pulang Bagani Company lobbed a grenade against a military encampment located in a civilian community. The victims were watching a circus show in the adjacent gymnasium at that time.
Days later, the NPA issued a public apology while the NDFP issued the Order of Indemnification with a specific request for an independent body to facilitate the speedy dispensation of indemnification.
The NDFP-SMR has contacted the EJP which immediately responded to the request.
EJP convenor, UCCP’s Bishop Modesto Villasanta, believes that the NDFP has asked them to organize the Third Party Facilitators because they have been helping with the release of government soldiers who became NPA’s prisoners-of-war.
Meanwhile, Polinar has asked Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to order for the transfer of military detachment far from civilian facilities like public gym and barangay hall.
“I ask the Vice-Mayor and the Mayor to move them away from civilian communities to a place where no civilians can become casualties,” he said.
In his weekly television program, Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte deemed necessary the pull-out of military detachments from populated areas. He also said the NDFP-SMR’s order of indemnification is “a positive step.”
The NDFP-SMR also gave a letter of apology to each of the Paquibato blast victims.
Rommel Cozo, Fatima village’s chief, has thanked the NPA for claiming responsibility over the attack.
“At least we know it’s not just someone who has lost his (her) mind and just threw a grenade. Their (NDFP-SMR) help means a lot to the casualties’ livelihood” Cozo said.
Villasanta says he thinks the NDFP would consider special cases amongst the blast victims.
“I think there will be another round especially as there are casualties who require special attention,” he said.
EJP also conducted a medical mission after the awarding of indemnification.
The group also works for the people’s deeper understanding of the peace process which includes peace education, knowing peace treaties entered into by the Philippine government and the NDFP.
“We’re trying to educate more and more people on the whole peace process so that they can help in working for peace,” Villasanta said. (With reports from Medel V. Hernani/ davaotoday.com)
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