Surigao del Sur governor: ‘AFP created a monster’

Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel has accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of washing its hands by denying its involvement with the Mahagat-Bagani.

In a phone interview with News to Go on Tuesday, Pimentel alleged that the paramilitary group that had been harassing the indigenous people in Lianga, Surigao del Sur causing the members to flee, was organized by the AFP.

"We all know very well, because how can these people get arms? San kumukuha ng armas to, mga Lumad to, mga Manobo," Pimentel said.

The governor said that the purpose of the Mahagat-Bagani group was originally for an anti-insurgency agenda.

"I know very well that they were the ones who trained them kasi ginagamit nila to for anti-communism insurgency. Naniwala ako dun sa objective nila, that is good, pero ang nangyari, they created a monster that they could no longer control. They're killing civilians," he said.

According to Pimentel, slain victims Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos and Juvello Sinzo were suspected by the group to be members of the New People's Army (NPA).

Samarca had been the Executive Director of an Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) school.

In a previous report, AFP spokesperson Col. Noel Detoyato said that the conflict stemmed from the suspicion that the Lumad alternative schools taught students propaganda against the government.

Although Pimentel stated that these schools are not recognized by DepEd, he is unconvinced that the victims were communists.

"I've been to that area. These are ordinary people, these are farmers, mga pulibi itong mga taong to, kawawa naman. Walang makain na nga, tapos pinatay pa nila," Pimentel said.

Nearly 3,000 evacuees

Nearly 3,000 Lumad tribe members are currently staying in the sports complex of Tandag City, Surigao de Sur after fleeing their homes out of fear, according to the governor. The evacuees are composed of 570 families from 5 municipalities in 23 communities.

Many of these residents witnessed the killings of the slain leaders.

"Nung September 1, early in the morning, about 3 in the morning, may dumating na 20-30 armed men na naka-bonnet. Tapos kinatok yung mga bahay, and then pinalabas sila doon, and then they were herded to a basketball court... and then kinuha yung si Mr. Donell Campos, who is the chairman of the Mapaso Lumad Organization then right in front of their eyes, pinatay yung si Donell Campos," Pimentel recounted.

"They do not want to go back because of the fear of their lives," he added.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, public affairs officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion, said in an interview that they are not aware of the Mahagat-Bagani Forces, which human rights group Karapatan said was the culprit in the crime.
 
The rights group alleged that the Philippine Army's 36th Infantry Battalion is in cahoots with the Mahagat-Bagani Forces to occupy the Han-ayan community, including the school.
 
"We don't allow such group. The only troops na meron kami ay 'yung CAFGU (Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit), saka 'yung typical infantry units, 'yung mga infantry battalions. Other than that, bawal na, it's against the law that they are arming themselves," Martinez said.

Pimentel appealed to those with power to issue a memorandum to apprehend and dismantle the Mahagat-Bagani group, insisting that the evacuees cannot survive in a cramped space for too long.

He added that prior to the deaths of the leaders, two innocent siblings were murdered in San Miguel, also by the paramilitary group, prompting the governor to meet with the AFP.

The AFP, however, denies involvement with the Mahagat-Bagani, which Pimentel claims were trained by the army and has reached 100-150 in numbers in the province.

"Naghuhugas kamay sila eh," Pimentel said. -Jessica Bartolome/NB, GMA News