BUTUAN CITY – Lumads from different tribes in Caraga region staged a protest march along main thoroughfares in this region’s capital city late Tuesday afternoon, days after the New People’s Army (NPA) admitted killing Mayor Dario E. Otaza of Loreto town in Agusan del Sur and his son Daryl. Filled with sadness, anguish and pain, the highland people, relatives, friends and supporters demanded justice for the slain mayor and son.
“Hustisya! Hustisya! para kang Mayor Otaza, sa iyang anak og sa tanang lumad nga gipatay sa mga NPA” (Justice! Justice! For Mayor Otaza and all lumads killed by the NPA), the protesters said.
“Ihunong na ninyo (NPA) ang pag patay og pag pangilad sa mga lumad” (Stop killing and deceiving lumads), they shouted. The big rally dubbed “Anti-Violence Assembly” in Butuan City is their way of airing their real sentiments against the NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). (Mike U. Crismundo)