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Army troopers illegally search Kalinga multi-purpose hall

TABUK, Kalinga (Aug. 20) — Members of Philippine Army illegally searched a multi-purpose hall in Tomiangan, Dupag here, where officers of the Tomiangan Unity for Progress and Action (TUPAC), a local people’s organization here on August 10.

According to Jimmy Suwagon of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance Human Rights Desk, elements of the 21st Infantry Battalion led by 1st Lt. Del Rosario assigned at Cagaluan Gate in Pasil entered and illegally searched the entire building. He said that a soldier pointed his gun to Roger Lagansi, 29 years old, secretary of TUPAC when he went outside the building.

Suwagon added that the soldiers also tore Bayan Muna calendars posted on the wall. He also said that after the search, the soldiers forced the officers to sign a certification saying that the soldiers did not do anything wrong in the community. He further said that the soldiers took the attendance of the TUPAC officers and members present during the meeting and the minutes of the organization’s August 7 and 10 meetings.

According to Suwagon, the TUPAC officers were forced to sign the said certification because Del Rosario told them they would not be allowed to go home if they did not sign.

Other officers who fell victims to army trooper’s harassment were TUPAC President David Wanagon, 55; Vice-president Lando Kub-ao, 33; Treasurer Esoy Awing, 29; Auditor William Banutan, 62; and a member Leo Casing, 31.

The victims did not go home and decided to spend the night at the multi-purpose hall and went home the following morning. # via NORDIS

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