HERE are some data from the military that the public has yet to know about the atrocities committed not only against the lumad but also against the civilian populace and military personnel in Southern Mindanao.
The data cite instances of murders/killings/liquidations; abductions/kidnappings; use of IED; use of child combatants/violation of the rights of children; violation of women’s rights; violation of IP rights; attacks on peace and development efforts/infra projects; attacks against communities; attacks against business entities; arson/burning; extortion; theft/robbery; civilians killed in NPA attacks; conduct of ambush in populated places; election-related violence/offenses; use of human shields; and violation of ‘hors de combat” status of government troops.
Some of the most notable instances of these crimes, committed within the period 1987 to 2010, are the following:
Murders/killings/liquidation totaling 502 persons, most notably DXRA Massacre on July 27, 1987 in Davao City with 9 civilians killed; Digos Massacre on June 25, 1989, Davao del Sur, 39 killed; Lumad killings from 1998-2008, 357 killed; 2009 killings also in SouthMin, 83 killed; 2010 killings in SouthMin, 14 killed.
Frustrated murder of Cafgu who escaped slay attempt in Compostela in March 2010; village leader in Columbio, SK Eldie Banawag escaping abduction and slay plan, June 8, 2010, Enforced Disappearances of Sgt. Gayla, 2008; brothers Jamil and Jimboy Valiente in Maco after their brother was killed by NPA in March 2010.
Abduction/kidnapping of 19 persons, most notably Lt. Camayo, 2008; Pvt. Trinidad, 2009; Cpl. Alegre, 2009; Mr. Quinones and another former Kagawad, April 2010, Lupon, Davao Oriental (DOR); Compostela Valley Province (CVP) Mayor Luna and four others in May 2010; four government troops attending a child’s birthday in May 2010 in CVP; five campaigners in Toril, April 2010.
Use of child combatants numbering to 22 reported cases, including four children killed in Digos Massacre; 13 child combatants surrendering to 10ID in 2009; 3 child combatants surrendering to 10ID in 2010; 1 child killed in NPA attack in DOR; 12-year old girl used as human shield in disarming detachment in July 2009; Jinggoy Canete case; unspecified number of children held by NPA in July 2009 in DOR as they took two busloads of passengers as hostage; Violations of Indigenous Peoples Rights totaling 423 persons, with 39 Tagabawa tribe members killed; 357 lumads killed in SouthMin from 1998-2008; 24 Lumads killed in 2009; and 7 lumads killed as of June 2010.
There are more NPA atrocities as reported by the military, and this is in Southern Mindanao alone. BEEN THERE DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE JARON-CODILLA
