Pasaka scores AFP-backed pangayaw in Paquibato

August 18, 2010 | DAVAO CITY-- The PASAKA Regional Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao condemned the military-backed pangayaw (tribal war) declaration of lumad leader and notorious lumad warmongerer, Ruben Labawan.

Based on the reports reaching PASAKA office, “pangayaw” was declared in Brgy. Colosas, Paquibato District earlier this month. On August 12, 2010, at around 10am, two farmers, Angelino Gentorales and Julius Tamondes, while tending their animals and farms in Saladiyoy, Monteflor, Brgy. Colosas, were indiscriminately fired by armed men believed to be part of Labawan's group.

During the said incident, Tamondes died on the spot while Gentorales was able to run.  

Local residents believed that the said “pangayaw” are being waged by members of Alamara, Bagani Force, and Cafgus that are armed and supported by the 1003rd Brigade led by B/gen. Eduardo del Rosario.

Del Rosario’s notorious trackrecord include intensive paramilitary (Cafgu) recruitment of Lumad civilians and pseudo Lumad leaders like Labawan. Documented human rights reports few years ago revealed that these groups have been responsible for a series of massacres, cattle-rustling activities and other criminal acts to sow terror in Paquibato and Marilog district and justify full-scale military operations.

Pasaka also called on the immediate intervention of the Davao City government  and urged the City Council to conduct a probe on the reported atrocities in Paquibato District.  The City Council conducted an investigation a few years ago on the emergence of Alamara and other paramilitary lumad groups organized by the  AFP for counter-insurgency.

“We call on the Davao City Council to conduct immediate intervention and investigation on the recent Paquibato conflict and call for the disarming of the Alamara, Bagani Forces, BDS, and other lumad paramilitary groups in view of the peoples’ interest and welfare as well as their aspiration for genuine peace in their communities,” Kerlan Fanagel, PASAKA Secretary General, urged.

Fanagel said, “The recent declaration of “pangayaw” by Ruben Labawan will never solve any conflict in the area. It will, instead, result to forced evacuation and displacement among the residents who are consequently experiencing too much fear and grave threats knowing that Labawan's group are still roaming freely in the area.”

He also noted that it is evident that the military of the AFP has been capitalizing on the culture of the lumads and is apparently using them in its counter-insurgency campaign.

“The AFP has been irreverent in bastardizing lumad culture, and this recent pangayaw waged by Labawan only proves their scheme of manipulating the lumads,” Fanagel said.

“The military has been arming civilians, using them as pawns in their counter-insurgency campaign, which violates laws and international instruments protecting human rights,”  Fanagel added.

“This pangayaw is being waged to pursue selfish interest, knowing that Labawan is claiming  nearly 32,000 hectares of land in Paquibato by way of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) to sell these lands to a Canadian Firm for cacao and banana plantation project,” Fanagel added.

“For as long as military and paramilitary installations are situated amidst the civilian populace and is active in the recruitment of farmers and lumads to join Barangay Defense System, the Alamara and Cafgu will still persist to sow terror and unpeace in the area,” Fanagel concluded. #