Not aware of anti-rebel group, says Army officer

DAVAO CITY—A top Army officer said he had no knowledge of the existence of Bagani Forces, an anticommunist “lumad” (indigenous) group blamed for the death of Italian missionary priest Fausto Tentorio in Arakan town in North Cotabato.

Brig. Gen. Cesar Sedillo, head of the 602nd Infantry Brigade which has jurisdiction over Arakan, made the statement on Friday, when he testified during the two-day hearing conducted by the House committee on justice on extrajudicial killings in Mindanao.

Asked by Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio about the Bagani Forces, Sedillo said he was uncertain if such group exists. When told by an aide that “bagani” means warrior, the officer said he has not encountered such a force.

Tinio butted in and said he wondered why Sedillo had not heard about Bagani despite the fact that the group is well-known in indigenous peoples’ communities.

A confessed Bagani member, who has provided the committee information as to why Tentorio was killed on Oct. 17, 2011, has repeatedly said his group is being supported by the military.

The member has turned government witness in the Tentorio murder case. His identity is being withheld by government prosecutors.

In Arakan language, the member said the group is headed by John Corbala, alias Commander Iring. He said Corbala ordered the killing of Tentorio because of his being a “supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA).”

Corbala even got P50,000 in operational fund from the military, he said. He pointed out that the Bagani leader had disclosed this during a meeting with his followers. Ayan Mellejor and Williamor Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao