Pregnant woman die, 7 hurt as gunmen attack village in Bukidnon

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A pregnant woman was killed while seven others, including five children, were hurt in an attack by an alleged paramilitary group in San Fernando, Bukidnon, on Saturday morning.

The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP)-Northern Mindanao said the incident occurred in a Tigwahanon community in Sitio Tibugawan in the village of Kawayan, where a wedding celebration was taking place

“Makinit Gayoran, who was pregnant and was carrying her firstborn, only a few months old, was the first to fall. A bullet hit her chest,” the group said.

The RMP claimed that an armed group led by a certain Butsoy Salusad staged the attack.

“The paramilitary group headed by the notorious Butsoy Salusad was positioned on top of the hill overlooking the community. They fired at the entire community but concentrated at the house where around 80 individuals were gathered for the wedding,” it said.

RMP said an indigenous people’s representative, Datu Arnold Manhura, saw Salusad hours before the attack.

“Salusad was reportedly dressed in military camouflage and combat shoes, and was fully armed. At least 11 other armed men were with him,” the group said. They added, “They also brought with them two residents from Sitio Spring and Sitio Tibugawan tied with a rope” and forced to act as guides.

Manhura reportedly asked Salusad not to go to the village and disturb the celebration.

“Salusad went on and in just a few minutes indiscriminately fired at the community,” RMP said.

RMP said the all wounded were brought to the hospital for treatment.

Two of the wounded reportedly suffered leg fractures. The wounded minors reportedly included an 8-year-old boy and another aged 7.

According to the RMP, Salusad had been threatening to attack the village if one of its leaders, Datu Jimboy Mandagit, would not surrender.

“Salusad has accused Datu Jimboy of being a member of the New People’s Army,” the group said.

Datu Jimboy was one of the leaders who accompanied Tigwahanon families that evacuated to Davao City a year ago to escape intensive military operations in their communities, the RMP said.

More than a hundred residents have fled to seek safety near the village hall.

“The community calls for justice… The paramilitary group of Salusad has been terrorizing the Lumad communities in San Fernando for several years already,” the religious group said.

“They were responsible for the killing of Dao Barangay Captain Jimmy Liguyon in 2012 and other community leaders such as Balangas Anlamit and Mabini Manobia over the years,” it added.

Salusad and his armed band also control small-scale gold mining in Barangays Dao and Kiranggol in San Fernando, the RMP said.