Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned about the continued harassment and killings of the Talaandig ethnic tribe in Agusan del Sur. As a result, hundreds of residents decided to leave their homes in fear of becoming the Dela Mance paramilitary group’s next victims.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by the Katungod Lumad Alert)
On 16 May 2016, 108 families decided to leave their homes in Agusan del Sur, because they feared they might be the next victim of the Dela Mance paramilitary group.
The evacuees sought sanctuary some 50 kilometres away in Zellovia village, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. The Talaandig families, composed of 468 individuals, come from the communities of Binicalan in San Luis, Purok Mintusing, Tigbaw and Insibay of Zellovia.
The local government units of Zellovia and Talacogon, and San Luis Community Lumad High School are helping the evacuees by providing rice, but the supplies are not enough to feed all the families.
The Dela Mance paramilitary group operates under Almara, the biggest paramilitary group in the region, terrorizing the populations of Bukidnon, Agusan del sur and Davao del norte. It is led by the Bocalas brothers (Ricky ‘Mansumhot’ Bocalas, Junilo ‘Manpalantay’ Bocalas, Lando Bocalas, Mantumagsa, and Lilongan ‘Manlumakad’ Bocalas) and is responsible for killing many Talaandig and Banwaon residents in the boundaries of Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon.
The most recent victim of the Bocalas brothers was Datu Mansulbadan Lalian, the Lumad community’s supreme chief, whom they killed while he was fishing in Talacogon. After his death, the Lumad residents around the area feared going to their farms, forests, or anywhere in their ancestral lands, thinking they would encounter the Bocalas brothers. The Insibay community chairperson sought help from the Municipal government, and was advised to tell the residents to come to the city to seek support.
Earlier, on 6 July 2015, the Dela Mance group shot Louie and Daynon Handayan, killing Daynon. In September 2015, Obet Pabiana was killed as he was on his way home to visit his family. October 2015 saw the ambush of a group of Talaandig farmers who were gathering fruit from their farm in Cabangsalan, Bukidnon. Witnesses saw one of the Dela Mance brothers, Manlumakad, hack to death one of the farmers, Mankombete Mariano, after wounding him with a gunshot.
Many cases have been filed against the Dela Mance group, and last year warrants of arrest were also issued. No one has yet been arrested however. Similarly, the child of Datu Mansulbadan has also filed a case against the Bocalas brothers, but there is no update yet.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Kindly send letters to the concerned authorities listed below requesting their immediate intervention into this case.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions and has informed the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
Philippines: Hundreds of Talaandig residents evacuated their homes
Name of killed victims:
108 families from the Talaandig tribe
Name of Alleged Perpetrator:
Mankolobi Bocalas and Manlumakad Bocalas, members of the Dela Mance paramilitary group
Date of incident: May 16, 2016
Place of Incident: Brgy. Binicalan in San Luis, Purok Mintusing, Tigbaw and Insibay of Brgy. Zellovia.
I am writing to voice my grave concern for the continued harassment and killings of the tribal people in Agusan del sur.
On 16 May 2016, 108 families decided to leave their homes because they feared they might be the next victim of the Dela Mance paramilitary group. The evacuees sought sanctuary some 50 kilometres away in Zellovia village, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. The Talaandig families, composed of 468 individuals, come from the communities of Binicalan in San Luis, Purok Mintusing, Tigbaw and Insibay of Zellovia.
I have learned that the Boncalas brothers, leaders of the Dela Mance paramilitary group, are terrorizing the Talaandig and Banwaon tribes since last year, with complete impunity.
Since the death of their Supreme Datu, Mansulbadan Lalian, also a victim of the Boncalas brothers, the Lumad residents are afraid to roam around their community, farms and anywhere in their ancestral land, fearing an encounter with the Boncalas brothers.
I respectfully urge you to investigate this case properly and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. Also, ensure that the families of the victims are given protection adequately. The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines should monitor and evaluate whether the investigation is conducted in accordance with standards of fair trial. Lastly, I urge you to ensure that RA 8371 or The Indigenous People’s Rights Act is used to uphold the rights of the indigenous people.
I trust that you will take appropriate action in this.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Benigno Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
2. Mr. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
3. Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Fax:+63(2) 911 6213
Email: osnd@philonline.com
4. Mr. Emmanuel Caparas
Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Telefax: +632 523-954
5. Atty. Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo
Chairperson
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
2/F N. dela Merced Bldg. corner West &
Quezon Ave., Quezon City
Tel: +63 8373-9942
Email: chairpersonsoffice@gmail.com
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
