PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY

Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City
Contact Number: (082) 235-1041

Press Release January 13, 2011

Malita grieves for barangay captain’s death, Army troops show support

The Philippine flag hangs in a half-mast in the Municipality of Malita,

Davao del Sur as its people and the whole Tagakaulo tribe mourns for the death
of their beloved Barangay Captain and Tribal leader. Major General Jorge
Segovia, Commander of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, Philippine Army drove
to the coastal town of Malita to pay homage to the fallen leader, yesterday
January 12,2011.

Barangay Captain Ramon Danwata was murdered on Saturday, January

8, 2011 by the armed men belonging to the New People’s Army under Guerilla
Front 71. Prior to the incident, the NPA grabbed his wife, Susan, and held her
hostage to force Danwata to come out of his house and give himself up to the
NPA. The NPA also ransacked and robbed the stores in Barangay Datu Danwata
which angered many of its people.

“Gusto namo ang ensaktung hustisya sa kamatayun sa akong bana. Unta

tabangan mi sa mga sundalo” (We want true justice for the death of my husband.
We hope that soldiers will help us), Susan said in an interview. On the other
hand, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Artuz, Commander of the 39th Infantry Battalion,
10ID, PA denounced the strategy employed by the NPA to deceive the people.
“The NPA wore the uniform we are wearing to deceive the people. The Brgy
Captain ordered his CVO to entertain the visitors and he showed up immediately
as he respects the military in uniform, but after all, it was only a deception”. He
said.

Immediately after the brutal killing of Danwata, a staunch supporter of the

government’s peace and development program, Mayor Benjamin Bautista of
Malita called for the creation of Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) in every
barangays. He also requested the Philippine Army to put up a detachment camp
that will maintain peace and order in the area of Malita. “Aside from organizing
the CVO, we request for a detachment especially in Datu Danwata”, Mayor
Bautista said.

Three soldiers were also wounded in the ambush conducted by the rebels
to the responding AFP troops. The NPA used Improvised Explosive Device (IED)
to inflict damage to the soldiers tasked to help the victims.

Major General Segovia condemned this act of terrorism of the New

People’s Army. He said that the communists only showed their real nature when
they executed the tribal chieftain. He said that the Philippine Army will do its best
to protect the people of Malita from all atrocious plans of the CPP/NPA. “We are
here to show our support to the local government officials, to pay our respect to
the late barangay captain and commit ourselves to protect the people of Malita
from the CPP/NPA”, he said in an interview.

Released by:

LTC MEDEL M AGUILAR PA

Public Information Officer
Cell No: 09177012377
Email add: dpao10id@yahoo.com
Website: www.agila10id.com

Half Mast flag of the Municipality of Malita, Davao Del Sur is a sign of grief and
respect to the late Brgy. Captain Ramon Danwata.
COURTESY CALL. Major General Jorge Segovia, 10id Agila Division
Commander paid a courtesy call to Honorable Mayor Benjamin Bautista,
Mayor Malita, Davao Del Sur yesterday, January 12, 2011.
AS A MARK OF RESPECT. Major General Jorge Segovia, 10ID Agila
Division Commander visit the late Brgy Capt. Ramon Danwata in
Malita, Davao Del Sur, yesterday, January 12,2011.