Eight individuals collectively referred to as the Bunawan 8, were arrested on June 13, 2025 in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur by elements of the 66th and 67th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and elements of the Bunawan Municipal Police. They were on board two vehicles traveling from Monkayo, Davao de Oro when they were flagged at a checkpoint in the said town.
According to the quick response team led by Karapatan-Southern Mindanao, Charisse Bernadine Bañez, Ronnie Igloria, Louvaine Erika Espina, Sinag Lugsi, Larry Montero, Daryl Man-Inday, Arjie Guino Dadizon, Grace Niknik Man-aning were arrested without a warrant. Meanwhile, their companion Leo Taba and the two drivers are still missing as of this writing.
They were forcibly removed from the vehicles, ordered to lie face down on the ground, and saw one of the drivers being blindfolded. Their vehicles were illegally searched, and their personal belongings confiscated. There were reportedly no body-worn cameras used by the arresting forces as mandated by law. They were then brought to the Bunawan Municipal police station where were charged with trumped-up cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
“We have seen this kind of arrests before and law enforcers are notorious for staging check points where they announce that they allegedly confiscated contraband, including firearms and explosives. It’s a cliché created by the police and military that we have encountered over the years. In fact, the arresting officers that stood as witnesses in these kinds of arrests and checkpoints have been exposed and discredited in court repeatedly for their perjured testimonies,” said Atty. Maria Sol Taule, KARAPATAN deputy secretary general.
KARAPATAN also assailed the harassment employed by State security forces against those arrested and even the human rights workers who were initially blocked from approaching those arrested. It also took 36 hours before the Bunawan 8 were allowed access to basic needs. Their families were also denied immediate communication.
“These are grievous violations of the rights of the arrested persons or individuals under police custody. We received reports that the Bunawan 8 underwent intense interrogation by military officials from the night of the arrest until the next day. Such already constitutes psychological torture, on top of the denial of their basic rights. Soldiers also reportedly guarded them while they are under police custody. The military has always undermined civilian authority and such deplorable acts should not be allowed to continue,” added Taule.
KARAPATAN demanded that the rights of the arrested individuals be respected and called for the immediate dismissal of the trumped-up charges against them. At the same time, the law enforcers should surface Leo Taba and the drivers, and ensure that they are safe and unharmed.