Tribal leader gunned down

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected communist rebels in Agusan del Norte killed a tribal leader in an ambush on Wednesday, the military reported yesterday.

Ricardo Sulhayan of the Higaonon tribe in Sitio Mimbahandi, Barangay Camagong in Nasipit town was driving his motorcycle on his way home when he was waylaid in Sitio Balaatan, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman.

Witnesses said some of the assailants were members of the North Central Mindanao regional committee of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The rebels fled toward the mountainous area of Nasipit.

Communist rebels were reportedly recruiting Sulhayan and his tribesmen to join the rebel movement.

“We strongly condemn the spate of unwarranted killings perpetrated by the NPA. This will create another cycle of violence in the area. There is a need to put an end to all this,“  Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, 4th ID commander, said.

Lactao appealed to Hagaonon tribesmen and other tribal leaders to help the police and military bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, police are conducting search and rescue operations for a tribal leader of Sitio Hinandayan, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Barangay Camagong in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte on Wednesday.

The daughter of Marcelino Apa, 55, reported the incident to the police. – Jaime Laude, Ben Serrano