An Aggay tribesman, identified as Lenor Danao, was allegedly taken from his home by army troops in Barangay Masi, Rizal in the province of Cagayan on October 1 and is reported as missing as of Saturday, October 3.
The village forms part several barangays located in Zinundungan Valley.
The Cagayan Valley chapter of the human rights watchdog Karapatan, in its alert sent to journalists, claimed that Danao, an Aggay belonging to the indigenous ethnic group in Cagayan, was abducted by about 25 soldiers believed to be from the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Barangay Masin, Alcala, Cagayan, under the 502nd Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry (Star) Division.
The report stated that the Army troops arrived that morning in Masi, and started searching the hut of Danao, described as a respected member of the community, where they allegedly found a "Baby Armalite" rifle at the hut and insisted it was owned by him [Danao].
A resident who requested anonymity in the place confirmed that soldiers “arrested” Danao.
“Ang balita namin ay may natagpuan daw na Baby Armalite sa loob ng kanyang bahay. Pati nagtataka paano siya may ganung klase ng baril (We understand that a Baby Armalite was found at the house. It's a puzzle how he could have possessed such a weapon),” the resident told Interaksyon.com in a telephone interview.
Danao, his wife and three children were resting at their hut when he was forcibly picked-up by the Army men, the report indicated, citing information provided by Cely, the wife of Danao, who shared that Danao was sick when taken away.
He was trembling and weak at that time, added Gonyang Danao-Aglicosta, the victim's daughter.
Danao was forced to walk under the rain from Barangay Masi to Barangay Gagabutan and, at 4:00 a.m. on October 2, was forced to board a military vehicle, Aglicosta, who is three months pregnant and was not allowed to accompany his father in the vehicle, reported.
She said the soldiers also took a mobile phone, cash amounting to P1,400, a blanket and two hammocks from his father's hut.
Danao was reportedly taken to the police station at the town center, where he was supposedly turned over to the police for the filing of charges.
Interaksyon.com tried to contact a Lt. Col. Real, the new commanding officer of the 17th IB, but to no avail.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118393/aggay-tribesman-reported-taken-away-by-army-troops-in-rizal-cagayan
Keep in mind that the source of the report, KARAPATANT, is a known Communist Party of the Philippines human rights front group organization.
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