Saturday, June 28, 2008

Philippine Military Accused Taxi Drivers As Rebel Spies

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 28, 2008) – After failing to stop rebel attacks, the Philippine military now accused some motorcycle taxi drivers in the southern Davao City as spy.

It said some drivers were actually giving off intelligence to the New People’s Army about the movements of government soldiers especially in areas, such as Toril and Paquibato districts, where rebels are known to be actively operating.
Col. Reynaldo Cruz, commander of the military’s Task Force Davao, said troops were deployed to hunt down the rebels.

NPA rebels were said to have put up checkpoints in those areas. Rebel forces have attacked patrolling troops in Davao City. But many drivers here criticized the military for linking them to the NPA and blamed soldiers for their failure to put a stop to the growing influence of rebels in Davao.

Troops deployed in Davao City have been accused of violating human rights of peasants and indigenous people. (Romy Bwaga)

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