Agusan lumads flee conflict-torn village

BAYUGAN, Agusan del Sur — More lumads (uplanders) are fleeing a remote tribal community in San Luis town, fearing that they might be caught in the crossfire of two warring factions of tribesmen, authorities said.

San Luis Mayor Jose Chua said at least 300 families are now housed in public schoolbuildings and other shelters in a village at the boundary of Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur.

This, as negotiations are still ongoing for the release of 10 Talaindig tribesmen taken hostage last Dec. 11 by the group of Datu Mansagabaw, Talaindig chieftain in Sitio Akbayan.

Mansagabaw’s followers are in conflict with fellow Talaindig tribesmen in Sitio Bagol. Both sitios are part of the remote lumad barangay of Binicalan.

Mansagabaw’s group is allegedly sympathetic with New People’s Army guerrillas operating in the area. Police and military authorities have linked the NPA to the Dec. 11 hostage-taking.

But a certain Kumander Alab of the NPA earlier claimed they had nothing to do with the incident, saying they would rather leave it up to the warring Talaindig factions to settle their conflict.

The military has suspended its operations in the area to pave the way for negotiations for the hostages’ release. – Ben Serrano