TAGUM CITY, Philippines — An indigenous couple who are members of a local peasant group escaped a slay try after two unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets at their residence, human rights group Karapatan in Caraga said on Tuesday, January 9.
Karapatan identified the Lumad couple as Ronel Asay, 29, and Jingky Asay, 33, both residents of Barangay Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte. They are members of Kayapan-Amihan, a local tribal organization of Mamanwa in the province.
The group further said gunmen attacked the couple at 8 p.m on Monday, January 8, but only leaving their two motorcycles destroyed.
In Caraga, Karapatan implicated the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion in the slay try incident, saying the military unit was “actively conducting military operations in the said community.”
The group claimed that the military unit is about 2 kilometers from Asay’s residence.
Ronel has been subjected to military harassment for his involvement in Kayapan-Amihan, the group added.
The military has yet to respond on the issue. (davaotoday.com)
