In the know: Magahat-Bagani

Magahat-Bagani is a paramilitary group that had been tagged for allegedly killing the executive director of a tribal school in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur province on Sept. 1 that caused the evacuation of some 2,000 residents of Diatagon village.

The militia also allegedly killed a Manobo “lumad,” who headed an indigenous peoples’ group that fights for the preservation of ancestral land against mining operations and land conversions, and a Manobo datu.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel said the group is composed of at least 30 heavily armed men and has been a persistent security problem in the province, particularly in the towns of Lianga, San Agustin and Marihatag.

Pimentel identified the leaders of the Magahat as Marcos Bocales, Bob Tejero and Loloy Tejero, while the leader of the Bagani force as Calpit Egua, who is based in Agusan del Sur province. Inquirer Research

Source: Inquirer Archives