Military says NPA killed tribal leader in Bukidnon

The military said the New People's Army killed a tribal leader in Bukidnon on Saturday amid a ceasefire with government troops.

The tribal leader was identified by the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army as IP mandatory representative Datu Sammy Diwangan, 45.

Diwangan was shot dead while his 9-year-old son survived and fled during the attack allegedly by NPA members of the Guerilla Front Malayag in Barangay Canangaan in the municipality of Cabanglasan at 9:15 a.m.

In a press release issued Saturday, the military said according to residents, Diwangan and his son were doing their work when four NPA rebels with firearms arrived and shot Diwangan on the forehead and other parts of the body.

Diwangan was a strong community leader and is against NPA infiltration and recruitment, the Army added.

The NPA allegedly had long planned to kill the victim, according to a former rebel who surrendered to the Army, the military said

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Battalion, condemned the attack. —KG, GMA News