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BUTUAN CITY — Some 106 families or about 235 individuals have been staying in different evacuation centers in San Miguel, Suri-gao del Sur for nearly two weeks now after they were force to leave their homes because two armed groups harassing their communities.

They left their homes because of the presence of armed groups who have been harassing their communities in three Sitios of Barangay Bulho-on in San Miguel town. The two groups allegedly harassing their communities are the Magahats led by Marcos Bocales and the Baganis led by Kapit Egua.

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The Magahats and Baga-nis were former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed-wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Composed mostly of indigenes, the groups are now reportedly against the NPA and are allegedly being supported by the military.

In an interview with Gold Star Daily, Eliza Rose Pangilinan, secretary general of the Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights (Karapatan-Caraga), here, said they have recor-ded the various human rights violations and abuses to the local police and to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR 13).

Pangilinan said four teachers in Sitios Nalindog, Bog-bog and Nahikyad, all in Barangay Bolho-on, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur were allegedly victims of mobile phone confiscation incident and classes were suspended already in said areas since August 9 due presence of the armed groups allegedly harassing the victim evacuees.

The evacuees from the three sitios are now temporarily housed at Barangay Bolho-on Gym and at the St. Michael Parish Convent of the Roman Catholic in San Miguel town.

Last August 12, Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel called for an emergency meeting with concerned government agencies after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Office confirmed and reported the presence of 106 families or about 235 individuals who have fled their respective homes from three sitios in Barangay Bolho-on, San Miguel town.

The Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Office also reported that about 70 families have evac-uated their homes in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur due also presence armed groups in their communities.

The Surigao del Sur Provincial Government said they already sent through respective local disaster councils and Social Welfare Offices relief goods to the evacuees in San Miguel and Lianga towns respectively.

Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez confirmed the presence of evacuees in said areas but are wondering why the people left their homes when they have not monitored any skirmishes or armed confrontation in said areas.

But Pangilinan argued otherwise saying evacuees leaving their homes is a huge sacrifice because they also have to leave their livelihood.

“They also left their farms, their only source of livelihood and have left them unattended for nearly two weeks now while some 78 students have not gone to their classes due to the disruption of classes because of the presence of armed men harassing them. The groups have been accusing the communities as supporters of the NPA,” said Pangilinan.

 

 

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