By YAS D. OCAMPO
DAVAO CITY – A group of indigenous people (IP) took matters into their own hands, disarming four alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who attempted to enter their community in Sitio Mangkay, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte last Friday.
The Eastern Mindanao Command, in a statement, said the community members had already been alerted about the repeated incursion of the group in the area prior.
Upon seeing the same group on Friday, the Lumads decided to confront the rebels, eventually disarming them.
Unfortunately, the rebels, identified simply as Yumi, Kid, and Alex, including their alleged leader, Renard Catarata, were able to flee.
The IPs recovered five high-powered firearms from the group, including one M4 Carbine, one Colt M653, and three M16s.
They turned over the firearms to Sgt. Henry Himtog of Kapatagan Detachment at Sitio Kapatagan on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the same tribal community as assisted by their leaders facilitated the surrender of 17 other militants operating in the area.