Clashes displace 2,000 Davao Norte folk

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – More than 2,000 people were reportedly displaced by the ongoing hostilities between government security forces and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterlands of Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the clashes occurred in Sitios Sambulungan and Tibucag in Barangays Palma Gil and Dagohoy, respectively.

Although no casualties were reported, the unstable peace and order condition has affected a total of 412 families or 2,060 villagers.

The residents have reportedly fled their homes and sought refuge in Sitio Poblacion where they are now staying in tents and makeshift shelters.

However, Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said there are no ongoing massive military operations in Talaingod town.

“What we have there is one battalion that is dedicated to secure a government flagship project, a major road network that would connect Talaingod to Bukidnon, passing through the mountain areas,” he said.

Mapagu said the project should be finished within the year, thus a military unit was posted there to secure it.

“We are protecting the project because a contractor late last year gave up on the project after about P22 million worth of equipment was burned by the NPA rebels in the Bukidnon side of the project,” he said.

“We understand that the rebels have also been asking revolutionary taxes from the contractors, that is why we have to make sure that we are able to protect the project so it could be finished before the end of the year,” he added.

Mapagu said though that he would coordinate with the local authorities on the plight of the evacuees.