From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 1): Sagada bombings deplored
A party-list lawmaker yesterday denounced the aerial bombing of suspected communist rebel camps in the tourist-destination town of Sagada in the Mountain Province.
The international news agency Pressenza said the aerial attacks and clashes between government forces and New People's Army rebels started Thursday afternoon.
The attacks were reported by residients living near the bombed areas, the news agency said.
“We strongly denounce the aerial bombings employed by the PNP and the AFP in its counter insurgency operations in Aguid, Sagada, Mountain Province,” saidGabriela Womens Party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan.
Ilagan said she supported the call of Sagada residents for an end to the bombings, saying that it has inflicted “immeasurable damage to indigenous people’s, communities, lives and livelihood.”
Ilagan said aerial attacks and “indiscriminate firing” were also reported in the municipalities of Besao, Sadanga, Bontoc where Fidelisan, Dallic and Bontoc tribes reside.
Pressenza said the attacks were launched in retaliation against recent ambushes staged by the communist rebels.
Casulaties remain unknown.
“While community leaders and human rights groups have yet to give a complete assessment of the damage, initial reports show that several bombs were dropped on communities and farms. Crops and livelihood were destroyed and several lives were in danger,” said Ilagan.
Ilagan also expressed serious concern for children in the area.
“The trauma leaves permanent scars, making children constantly fearful if not violent,” she said.
Ilagan said this was not the first time that Cordillera communities reported aerial attacks.
A similar incident was reported last May 31 in Malibcong, Abra, where the 503rd Infantry Battalion reportedly dropped several bombs some 40 meters away from minors gathering snails in nearby rice fields and 60 meters away from a rice granary, she said.
“[President] Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan has wreaked widespread destruction among indigenous communities. We join calls for the immediate demilitarization of Cordillera communities and hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable,” she said.