by Karen Macalalad
UPDATED: A 15-year old Lumad student of Salugpongan Ta ‘Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center in Talaingod, Davao del Norte was reportedly gunned down by a member of the paramilitary group Alamara around 3 PM on January 17.
According to the Save Our Schools Network, Grade 3 student Alibando Tingkas was on his way home to Sitio Bayabas with two companions when an Alamara member intercepted them in Sitio Laslaskan and fired two gun shots. His companions were able to escape while Tingkas was shot dead.
The two witnesses saw only one member of the Alamara, but they suspect that others were hiding somewhere near the incident, Save Our Schools (SOS) Network Spokesperson Rius Valle told the Collegian. The SOS will still confirm the number of paramilitary members involved in the incident.
“Itong Salugpongan matagal nang pinag-iinitan ng militar at paramilitar. Sa tingin namin kasabay nito ang motibo ng palaging pag-aatake ng mga militar sa paaralan at pangha-harass,” Valle said.
Alamara has been one of the major reasons why the Lumad continue to evacuate and leave their communities, the spokesperson added. The said paramilitary group began committing violence against the indigenous tribes in Bukidnon and Davao since 2014. The Alamara is one of a number of paramilitary groups linked to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and it’s counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan.
“Sa ngayon, initial naming hakbang ay mailigtas yung dalawang witnesses. Kasama na [rito] ang pananagot sa salarin at pagsasampa ng kaso doon sa nakapatay, at [pagpapadisband sa Alamara],” Valle said.
As of May 2015, the network documented 13 incidents of military and paramilitary attacks on schools among teachers and students in Davao del Norte.
* Initial reports identified the victim as Abando Tingkas, 16 years old, Grade 3.