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Kalinga folk call for 21st IB pullout

TABUK, Kalinga (July 26) — Residents of Tanglag in Lubuagan town of this province petitioned the pullout of the 21st Infantry Battalion’s (IB) Alpha Company due to human rights violations (HRVs) committed against the people of Tanglag. The said soldiers are stationed at the Cagaluan Gate.

The petition was submitted to the office of the provincial governor, the mayors of Pasil and Lubuagan, and the concerned officers of the 21st IB.

On May 26, the soldiers allegedly destroyed and illegally searched the house of Benecio Nagoy in Sawili, Tanglag. The soldiers took supplies such as rice, sugar, coffee, noodles, sardines, and other food items. A bolo, a knife, a tent (tolda) and a raincoat were also reportedly taken from Nagoy’s kaingin.

Two days after, the soldiers allegedly destroyed a window at Tanglag Elementary School, where they took several chairs to use as firewood. Some books were reportedly missing. On the same date, 14 year-old resident Amiyan Baluga was forced to serve as a guide for the soldiers.

The soldiers constructed a post in a privately owned lot near the detachment. Land owner Bagtang Damagon was not informed of this development.

A copy of the petition was furnished to NORDIS, where cases of HRVs were cited as early as January 31, where Redentor Linggayo’s bag was illegally searched. Another resident, Gilbert Aposta, was interrogated on the same date and harassed by Lt. Joeden Ulnagan of the 21st IB. Ulnagan allegedly attempted to stab Aposta with a dagger.

A dialogue took place on May 20 between the people of Tanglag led by their Barangay Captain Cresencio Ngaya-an and Barangay SecretaryRomy Winga, and 501st Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Bonifacio Talde, a certain Lt. Domingo and 21st IB commanding officer Maj. Baguina. After three hours of negotiation, high-ranking officers of the 21st IB agreed to investigate the alleged HRVs, and that soldiers must conduct a courtesy call to Tanglag barangay officials whenever they conduct operations in the said village. It was also agreed upon that the soldiers must wear their complete uniform, including the name plate, during operations. A consultation among Gov. Dominador Belac, Lubuagan Mayor Johnny Dikpus, Pasil Mayor Artemio Dalsen, and officers of the 21st IB was also slated in relation to the petition versus the 21st IB.

In the petition, residents said that the military’s presence has sown fear among them.

“Manipud kaadda ti detatsment agamak ken mabuteng ti asino man kadakami nga agmaymaysa a magna ken masapa a mapan agtrabaho kadagiti talon ken uma mi gapu kadagiti paspasamak iti kallabes a pananglabsing ti militar ti karbengan mi kas tao” (The military’s presence and operations in our community has sown fear among the residents. We no longer feel safe walking alone; nor do we attempt to set out early towards our fields), the petition read.

Barangay officer Winga asserted that regardless of the findings of the investigation, the people of Tanglag will still push for the pullout of the 21st IB. # Jimmy Suwagon for NORDIS

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