A declaration made by Datu Danilo Apas, also known as Datu Malapandow, leader of the Langilan-Manobo tribe in Davao del Norte said:  “We are now declaring all-out war against the communists New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao.”

The declaration by the Lumad leader comes after the murder of Loreto, Agusan del Sur Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl. The murder is believed to have been perpetrated by NPA rebels from the area.

Recent news points to drug dealers from the region that killed Otaza and his son – but Lumads say this is yet another cover-up by government officials to sway them from declaring all-out war on the NPA.

Apas said: “We are saddened by the number of killings of our political and traditional leaders done by the terrorists communist rebels.”

He also said that the 131 lumad leaders from Davao region and 356 in CARAGA region who were executed by the NPA from the years 1998 to 2008 was also reason enough for the declaration.

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