THE TWIN murder of Mayor Dario Otaza of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, and his son was another lumad killing by the lawless New People’s Army (NPA). It was intentionally meant to sow terror in the indigenous communities in Mindanao. It may be recalled that Mayor Otaza was a former NPA member-turned-peace advocate and later became instrumental in the surrender of a number of NPA members. One of Mayor Otaza’s thrusts and accomplishments was delivering government services to indigenous peoples.
His brutal death at the hands of the NPA saddened not just his constituents but also the lumad communities that he had served for years. He was a very good leader who gave up the armed struggle and turned to peaceful means instead, to fight for reforms in government.
His death is a major loss to the people he served faithfully. May his death open the eyes of the Filipino people and lead them to strongly condemn and counter the violence being perpetrated by the terrorist NPA.
Also, may the human rights group Karapatan show up and seek justice which Mayor Otaza’s family deserves and, above all, to sincerely help the lumad fight for their land, life and rights.
—MARIELLE M. LAGUARDIA, mariellelaguardia@yahoo.com