IN THE KNOW: Bagani

The Bagani (warriors) tribal force is one of several paramilitary groups that gained notoriety for rights abuses, especially in “lumad” communities.

In October 2014, at least 2,000 Manobo people from Lianga, Surigao del Sur province, fled their homes following the killing of Henry Alameda, a Manobo leader, allegedly by soldiers and Bagani forces.

Bertoldo Garay, another Manobo leader, linked the killing to opposition by the Manobo community to attempts by a Bagani leader, Datu Calpet Egua, to recruit Manobo as Bagani members.

Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, prior to his murder,  said in an account on the website of  Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions that he survived an abduction attempt by the Bagani on Oct. 7, 2003. Inquirer Research

Source: Inquirer Archives