Over 180 Bukidnon cyclists join ‘Bike for Peace’

BUKIDNON – More than 180 cyclists from various towns and cities in Bukidnon province joined a 50-kilometer trip as a show of solidarity and indignation against the atrocities of the communist rebel group New People’s Army (NPA).

Bukidnon’s Cabanglasan town Mayor Renante Inocando and Bukidnon Police Director Colonel Jun Mark Lagare lead 184 bikers on a 50-kilometer trip as a show of solidarity and indignation against the atrocities of the communist rebel group New People’s Army. (BGE)

The unity bike ride was also a call for justice for the death of national football athlete Kieth Absalon, 32; and his cousin Nolven, 40; who were killed in a roadside bombing by the NPA in Masbate City in June. Nolven's 16-year-old son who was with the duo was injured.

Cabanglasan town Mayor Renante Inocando and Provincial Police Director Colonel Jun Mark Lagare led the 184 cyclists on the trip, exemplifying the need for community participation for peace.

The bikers travelled from Cabanglasan to Malaybalay, passing along seven villages as residents and spectators flashed peace signs while waving posters condemning the communist rebels for the twin murders in Masbate.

“Personally, I enjoy biking with my children. As bikers—as civilians—the death of our fellow riders in Masbate should never have happened. Their goal would have been very simple. They had a good day riding their bikes around with their buddies. However, when a terrorist-planted device burst, the bikers were killed,” Inocando said.

The mayor explained that the “Sikad Alang sa Hustisya ug Kalinaw was conceived in an effort to stir people’s awareness of the brutalities of the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a short ceremony before the bikers got off the grounds, former rebel Jennel Cabugsa recounted her pains as a witness of CPP-NPA’s cruelties. “We gather here to denounce the NPA’s brutality. I strongly condemn the murder of the Absalons in Masbate. Terrorists felt that they would no longer be able to recruit kids, particularly those interested in sports. So, NPAs did kill the students in order to instil fear among young people’s groups,” she said.

Recognizing the former rebel’s gory details, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Director Manuel Ordoña said the parents of Absalon only hoped that his death would serve as an eye-opener for the public that the communist groups will murder even innocent people to pursue its violent campaign. (RLRB)

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