A LEADER of the military-backed Magahat Baghani militia forces warned Mindanao-based journalists Thursday they could be ambushed on their way to cover the 47th anniversary celebrations of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26.
In a text message sent to Mindanao-based journalists, a man claiming to be Bobby Tejero of the Magahat militia said covering the CCP anniversary was an admission that they supported the communists and were thus the enemies of the Magahat Bagani.
“Good day to all media in Mindanao, we would like to inform you that we will target for ambush whoever in media will attend the anniversary of the CPP/NPA/NDF. Because anyone attending the anniversary is a sympathizer of the NPA, which is why media should not attend to avoid being involved in the war. The war between the NPA and the armed lumad Magahat. The military and police have nothing to do with this because this is a fight between the tribe and the NPA. Thank you very much. For your information Bobby Tejero commander of the Magahat… please spread to the whole of Mindanao,” the message, quoted by the online Davao Breaking News, said.
Tejero and his brother Loloy and Garilo Laylo—members of the Magahat forces formed by the military to fight the communist insurgency—have been charged with murder in relation to the deaths of lumad school executive director Emerito Samarca and two other tribal leaders, Dionel Campos and Datu Bello Sinzo in Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Sept. 1.
Although warrants have been issued against the Tejero brothers and Laylo, no one has yet been arrested.
The killings drove thousands of lumad from their homes to seek refuge in the provincial gym in Tandag City.
In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines slammed the Magahat Bagani forces on Friday for issuing direct threats against journalists.
“The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns in the strongest terms the brazen death threat issued by the Magahat militia against journalists intending to cover the 47th anniversary celebrations of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Mindanao.”
The group expressed concern over the growing confidence of the militiamen that they would get away with threatening media men.
“Any threat from Bobby Tejero and the Magahat against not only the media but anyone else should be treated seriously. That he can actually feel confident enough to threaten the media so brazenly can only mean one thing—that Bobby Tejero and the Magahat either believe they can do so and get away with it, or they have been assured that they can do so and get away with it.”
“Going by the record, it appears clear where the assurance comes from. For this is the only explanation for how the Magahat can continue to openly operate despite the serious criminal charges its leaders and members face.”
The press group also warned the Aquino administration that they would be made accountable for any harm arising from Tejero’s threat that may befall journalists who cover the communist anniversary.
In a statement, the leftist Bayan Muna condemned the Magahat Bagani for issuing direct threats against journalists.
“That these barefaced threats are issued while a mutual ceasefire and suspension of military operations were declared by the government and the rebels, smack of brazen impunity and disrespect of civilian authorities,” Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said.
Zarate also scored the government’s slow response to arrest the killers of the Lianga massacre.
“While a local court has already issued warrants of arrests against Tejero, who issued the threat, and his cohorts, they continue to sow terror in the hinterland villages of Surigao del Sur without the police and the military doing decisively to stop and neutralize them,” the group said.
