Army denies mauling Lumad family in Opol

A FAMILY of a Lumad group leader in Opol, Misamis Oriental has accused some nine government soldiers for mauling and harassment over the weekend, an incident that the military denied.

In a statement posted in the website of human rights group Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, it said the family of Joseph Paborada, leader of Pangalasag lumad organization in Opol town, reported that nine members of the 65th Infantry Battalion based in Bagocboc, Opol, barged in to their house Saturday night, November 24, and beat them up.

They also claimed the soldiers fired their guns twice and threatened to kill one of Paborada's sons. Paborada was with his wife and three children when the troops came in.

The group also said Paborada's family has long been receiving threats because of persistently standing up for their rights over their ancestral domain.

Datu Jomorito Goaynon, chairperson of regional lumad group Kalumbay, said the family has reported the incident to the Opol town police yesterday.

He said Kalumbay will also assist the family in seeking the help of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for the filing of cases against the soldiers involved.

"Hisgutan pa sa mga abogado ang kasong i-file ug magpatabang sad kami sa CHR kay kani pagpangabuso man," Goaynon said.

The 65IB has denied the allegations and clarified that the troops were responding to an altercation between Paborada's son and another resident in the area.

The two men were said to be under the influence of alcohol.

In a statement, the military said there was a fund raising activity initiated by the youth of Barangay Bagocboc through a social gathering (Disco). The troops were requested for security during the said activity.

"Our troopers immediately responded. That was what really happened. In fact, one of our troopers was gashed with a bladed weapon while he was settling the dispute," the military said.

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