The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Sunday that no less than indigenous leaders in Talaingod, Davao del Norte have belied claims made by former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo’s camp that they were just rescuing 14 minors which were found inside their vans in a checkpoint last week.
In an interview over radio station dzRH, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said no less than Datu Andigao Agay and Municipal Executive Tribal chieftain Bae Pilar Libayao have made statements belying the claims by Ocampo and ACT Teachers’ party-list Rep. France Castro that they were just on a humanitarian mission in Talaingod.
“Mabuting linawin lamang po natin ‘yung sinasabi nila na what they did actually was to rescue these children, and in particular teachers as well. Ang sinasabi po diyan ng myembro mismo nitong tinatawag na Indigenous People representative ito pong si Bai Pilar…at saka itong si Datu Agay na isa sa mga tribal leaders dun sa Talaingod. Sinasabi po nila na ano ang tinatawag nilang rescue samantalang wala namang gyera sa bundok?” Arevalo said.
“Ikalawa, paano po nila sasabihing inire-rescue ang mga bata na tinangay nila na wala naman pong permisong kaukulan buhat sa kanilang magulang,” he added.
Arevalo said the checkpoint operation was triggered by the report received by authorities that the children were missing and their parents looking for them.
Agay and Libayao earlier confronted Ocampo’s group and complained why they brought the children along with them without the permission of the tribe. They added that the situation in their area is normal or peaceful. (Francis Wakefield)