Camp Aquino, Tarlac City, 26 February 2022 – The Indigenous People (IP) community of the Ata Manobo tribe in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, has strongly condemned the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) for exploiting and recruiting IPs in a senseless ideology that has resulted in the deaths of indigenous people.
They blamed the CTG for the death of their fellow IP, Gigi Andel, a resident of Sitio Tibucag, Brgy. Dagohoy, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, after his remains were transported by the government forces on February 24, 2023, at Davao Air Station through a C-295 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Gigi Andel died during a security operation launched by government forces receiving a tip from concerned civilians about the terrorist presence wreaking havoc on their peaceful community in Baggao, Cagayan Valley, last week.
In an interview, the family of Gigi Andel expressed their grief and sorrow at seeing their son finally return to his village but now a dead body.
“We are deeply saddened by Gigi’s tragic death, and we condemn the terrorist NPA for recruiting her and other innocent IPs to join the communist terrorist group.”
The family and relatives of Gigi also expressed their gratitude towards the government for transporting his remains back to his families for proper burial despite him being an enemy of the state.
Gigi’s cousin added that members of the CTG entered their barangay in 2013 and used propaganda against the government to recruit Gigi and other members of their tribe.
This is another evidence of the CTG’s continuous disrespect for IP rights, unlawful exploitation, and violence, which the Northern Luzon Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines, committed to end. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
