SATUR SLAMMED
GOV. DEL ROSARIO: LEFTISTS MANIPULATING TRIBAL PEOPLE
Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario on Monday said leftist organizations use indigenous people (IPs) “to push their own agenda,” and accused them of maneuvering the truth.
This, after former Bayan Muna party-list lawmaker Satur Ocampo and his companions were charged Friday with kidnapping and human trafficking over the transport of minors in Davao del Norte.
In a statement, del Rosario denied Ocampo’s allegations that a paramilitary group forcibly closed the Salugpongan Ta’TanuIgkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc. (STTICLCI) in Dulyan, Palma Gil village, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
“The so-called ‘right defenders’ exploited the issue to demonize the government and raise funds for their benefit,” he said.
He said it was the local government unit and tribal leaders who pushed for the closure after seeing Salugpongan schools being used as platforms by leftist groups for anti-government propaganda and armed struggle.
“We cannot allow a few cunning individuals to mar our development momentum in the Lumad municipality,” del Rosario said.