Surigao del Sur Indigenous Leaders Demand Prosecution of Captured NPA Adviser

SURIGAO DEL SUR — Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders in Surigao del Sur are calling for the prosecution and imprisonment of Umbid Sinzo, a regional adviser of the New People’s Army (NPA), following his recent arrest.

According to Philippines News Agency, the IP Mandatory Representative of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, tribal leaders have united in their demand after Sinzo’s capture was confirmed. “Sinzo is among the brains of the NPA-supported Lumad schools in Surigao del Sur and was responsible for the recruitment of IPs, especially our youth, to join the communist movement,” Maca stated during an interview on Monday. He emphasized the community’s relief at the arrest, crediting government forces for their role in apprehending Sinzo, whom they hold responsible for negatively influencing local youth and threatening the future of the community.

The operation that led to Sinzo’s arrest was a coordinated effort involving the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13), the Army’s 9th Special Forces Company, and the Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office. It took place in Fourth State, Sucat, Parañaque on August 9. Sinzo, who is also an IP member from Lianga, has been implicated in several violent activities, including NPA killings and the harassment of IP leaders over the past years.

Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro, chief of PRO-13, detailed the charges against Sinzo, which include four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and two counts each of rebellion, robbery, and grave coercion. Nazarro also linked Sinzo to an NPA attack on the Lianga Municipal Police Station on April 28, 2011.