Tabuk City, Kalinga – To avert fear expressed by the former members of the Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Kalinga (SAMAKA) who denounced the group, Provincial Director of Kalinga Police Provincial Office, Police Colonel Davy Vicente Limmong, assured them of police protection for their peace of mind and security.
Limmong, during the Peace Forum conducted on December 2 at the Alumni Center of Kalinga State University, Bulanao Campus, affirmed that it is their responsibility to keep the former SAMAKA members, their families, and the whole community safe.
“This is our mandate. Ammu yu, marka mi amin dayta. Anything that happens, basul mi,” said the Police Provincial Director.
Threats to SAMAKA former members
Former members SAMAKA revealed that some of them received threats from uniformed personnel for having been accused as one of the New People’s Army.
“Mairamraman ti pamilya mi ta ibagbaga da a member kami idiay bangir,” a former member said in the forum.
The threats, according to Limmong, are intimidation to the youth “the same is true kadagiay adda idiay bantay.”
He then asked for their cooperation and to “keep in touch” with authorities when they encounter such circumstances.
Officials of the City Local Government Unit of Tabuk, along with the Department of Interior and Local Government personnel, are also present in said event.
SAMAKA, an ‘underground organization’
Staff Sergeant Gilbert Tadiwan of the 503rd Infantry Brigade related that SAMAKA was formed in 2002. He said that in 2019, it was reported to their higher command that the group is one of the underground organizations.
Tadiwan likewise mentioned that the leaders may have been conducting illegal activities, including recruitment to join arm struggle.
This prompted the brigade to form a composite team to address the concern of SAMAKA members.
“Sabi nga namin, an activist is not a communist. Kinikilala namin yung freedom of expression, freedom to organize but ang pinipigilan lang namin yung they become armed NPA,” Tadiwan said.
According to the staff sergeant, the press forum was held to clear the former members, and as a culmination, for them to sign a manifesto withdrawing their membership and support from the SAMAKA organization and its illegal activities.
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