No 'war' feared in Mindoro, says gov

CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro - Gov. Rodolfo Valencia, Bishop Warlito Cajandig and other human rights organizations under the Provincial Care Council denounced yesterday reports that fears about "war" have forced Mindoro folk to evacuate.

In a statement, Valencia belied reports of an ongoing "insurgency war" in the province, saying that Mindoro has always maintained its image of being one of the most peaceful provinces in Southern Tagalog.

"It is unfair to report that the whole province is affected when the incident has so far involved only six out of 424 barangays," he said.

Provincial administrator Alfonso Umali earlier said the evacuation was triggered by the alleged zoning operation of the Army in the barangays of Tabinay, Villaflor, Dulangan and Aninuan in Puerto Galera and Bigaan and Calsapa in San Teodoro, in reaction to the recent killing of San Teodoro Mayor Oscar Aldaba allegedly by the New People's Army.

Superintendent Napoleon Cachuela said in a report that a warrant of arrest for Aldaba's alleged assailant has already been served.

Police suspect that the killing stemmed from a political grudge between the mayor and a local resident.