VICTIMS. Crisanto and Ely Tabugol were killed by alleged members of tribal forces known as Bagani force in Barangay Siagao, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur Friday night. (Contributed photo by Karapatan Caraga)
DAVAO CITY – Human rights group Karapatan in Caraga region said two brothers in Surigao del Sur were killed Thursday evening by alleged members of the tribal forces locally known as Bagani Force.
In a press release, Karapatan identified the victims as Crisanto Tabugol, 39, and his brother, Ely, 34, of Purok 3, Barangay Siagao, San Miguel in Surigao del Sur.
Karapatan said that around 9 am Thursday, an estimate of 30 armed men belonging to the Hasmin group, and uniformed elements of the Army belonging to the 36th Infantry Battalion patrolled Barangay Siagao.
“They were seen around the banana farms and bushes, and because of the threats to the community, residents were already home by 5 to 6pm,” Karapatan said.
Crisanto reportedly told his mother and brother, Ely, to go the house of their younger sister in Barangay Poblacion to avoid the threat from the tribal group.
“Ely immediately accompanied their mother to his sister’s house after which he went back to Siagao despite his mother’s warning not to go,” Karapatan said in their statement.
On his way back, Ely went to a store to buy ice water, then he proceeded to their house but was confronted by several armed men with long firearms.
“He was shot on the foot without warning. He fell to his knees and raised his hands. He was heard pleading for his life, saying; “ayaw sir, wala mi labot ug wala mi sala. Sibilyan ra mi, sir (Don’ do it, sir, we are civilians and we have nothing to do with this),” Karapatan said.
Karapatan said a total of nine gunshot wounds were seen on his body and forehead
Meanwhile, Crisanto also tried to escape but he was shot three times and died on the spot.
“The armed men then shot at the six surrounding houses near the place of incident,” said Karapatan.
Karapatan said Kagawad Ralph Torid immediately called Ramil Tabugol, the older brother of the victims.
Ramil went to Siagao and saw his brothers lying on the ground.
Early morning on Saturday (August 29), 332 families evacuated from their homes to seek sanctuary at the Tina Elementary School and San Miguel Municipal Gym, said Karapatan.
On the following day, town mayor Alvaro Elizalde went to the evacuation center bringing with him two dump trucks to carry the evacuees back home.
BAKWITS. Human rights group Karapatan on Monday announces that around 420 families from Barangays Siagao and Bolhoon have evacuated to Tina Elementary School and San Miguel Municipal Gym in Surigao del Sur. (Contributed photo by Karapatan Caraga)
The group said the mayor assured the residents that the area has been cleared by the 36th Infantry Battalion and tried to convince them to return home.
“However, the evacuees still felt threatened since some of them saw the armed men who killed the Tabugol brothers with elements of the 36th IB,” Karapatan said.
Karapatan added that the evacuees have now reached 420 families coming from Barangays Sigao and Bolhoon in San Miguel.
The group said they are calling on the government to disband paramilitary groups including the Bagani Forces in Caraga.(davaotoday.com)
