CALAPAN CITY, Philippines: At least 782 individuals belonging to 191 families from the indigenous group Iraya Mangyan have fled their mountain communities and sought temporary shelter following clashes between government troops and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members in Abra de Ilog town, Occidental Mindoro, local officials said.
According to Sally Lamoca, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head, the families evacuated out of fear of possible airstrikes after reports of fighting at Barangay Cabacao in Abra de Ilog.
“Most evacuees are staying at Cabacao High School, while at least 15 families, or 59 individuals, have taken refuge with relatives,” Lamoca told the Inquirer.
She added that the local government of Abra de Ilog is leading the response for the internally displaced persons, with the provincial government providing additional support.
“As of now, direct assistance is being handled by the municipality of Abra de Ilog. The province has augmented lunch meals and hygiene kits and will assist in debriefing activities,” Lamoca said.
The displacement followed an encounter on New Year’s Day in Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao, after residents reported the presence of armed NPA members, according to the Philippine Army.
A suspected rebel was killed, and two soldiers were wounded in the armed encounters, the military said.
Guided air support
The 203rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Brigade said troops engaged NPA fighters who allegedly fired guns and an improvised explosive device. Difficult terrain led the military to call in guided air support to prevent the group from regrouping.
After the clashes, soldiers recovered the body of a female NPA member, as well as an improvised explosive device, backpacks and other war materials. Two soldiers were treated at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, and no civilians were reported hurt.
Call for vigilance
Brig. Gen. Melencio Ragudo, commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, said the operation aimed to protect residents, with actions conducted according to rules of engagement. The NPA-affiliated Communist Party of the Philippines said its forces were observing a unilateral ceasefire, but has not confirmed the reported fatality.
In a statement on Saturday (Jan 3), the Abra de Ilog local government acknowledged the incident and urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals entering their communities to prevent armed groups from returning and threatening peace and development in the town.
Advocacy group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment also condemned what it called “indiscriminate bombings and strafing” by the AFP in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, on New Year’s Day.
In a statement on Saturday, the group said residents, including Mangyan communities, were “terrorised” during military operations allegedly targeting the NPA, despite the latter declaring a holiday ceasefire.
The National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindoro extended condolences for the death of Jerlyn Rose Doydora, whom they identified as the fatality.
Visiting youth
According to NDF, Doydora was part of a group visiting indigenous peoples, farmers and NPA units to document local conditions and peace initiatives.
NDF-Mindoro said the youth were caught in military attacks despite a declared NPA ceasefire. One other youth remains missing after the retreat.
The NPA unit temporarily buried Doydora at the site of her passing to allow her family to recover her remains, as the NDF called on human rights groups to support the family and open a humanitarian corridor to aid the missing youth. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
