ROEL N. CATOTO
Online news contributor
Mindanao Enquirer
SURIGAO CITY: THE two leftist activists who were abducted July 5 in a hinterland barangay here were believed to have been killed already, this according to some progressive groups.
They were identified as Narciso Antigulas and Dagami Butlig.
Antigulas is an officer of PISTON, an organization of jeepney drivers, while Butlig belongs to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Their comrades and their lawyers have blamed their abduction and killing as a handiwork of the military.
But Reynaldo “Rey” Salas, secretary general of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) thinks otherwise.
“This is a scheme or plan of the communists in order to discredit the military and put them into the bad light,” Salas said.
He commented that the accusation made by the lawyer of both activists was “a patterned scheme in other areas in the country, a part and parcel of the communist propaganda to muddle the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
In a separate statement, lawyer Jose Begil said that Narcisco Antigulas and Dagami Butlig were just poor people, a driver and a farmer.
He narrated what witnesses told him that armed men in full battle gear riding a double-cab bumped the duo’s motorcycle.
Begil identified the army’s 30th IB based in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer as the prime suspect, adding Antigulas was able to scamper away but was shot. Begil added that the two were then handcuffed and brought to an undisclosed location.
The Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Norte (NAMASUN-KMP), has condemned the act.
Virginio Lincuna, deputy secretary-general of NAMASUN-KMP for Caraga, said they condemned the ruthless, unjustifiable and barbaric act of the suspects in abducting the Antigulas and Butlig. He called on for the help of newly-elected officials in the city and province to facilitate the release of the two.
In a text message, Col. Isidro Purisima, commanding officer of the 30th IB reacted by declaring that the accusation was baseless and fabricated.
He also stressed there was no police blotter, record or report in any police precincts which indicate that the two were abducted by armed men. He said no members from either PISTON or KMP were in their custody.
In a huddle with this writer, Ceriaco Antigulas, father of Narciso, commented that his son’s abductors should have used the legal process if they thought he committed any crime.
“Kon naa man untay ilang nakita nga mga salaod sa akong anak ipaagi unta sa legal nga proseso kay sa akong kabahin dili makatarunganon ang gibuhat sa mga responsible,” he said.
On the other hand, Michael Butlig, brother of Dagami, believes his brother and Antigulas were still alive.
When asked, he has this message to Michael: “Relax lang ug ayaw ka rattle. Presence of mind and don’t forget to pray. Naa kita kanunay sa Ginoo nga nag-uban kanato, so, dapat magpakalig-on kita.”
Online news contributor
Mindanao Enquirer
SURIGAO CITY: THE two leftist activists who were abducted July 5 in a hinterland barangay here were believed to have been killed already, this according to some progressive groups.
They were identified as Narciso Antigulas and Dagami Butlig.
Antigulas is an officer of PISTON, an organization of jeepney drivers, while Butlig belongs to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Their comrades and their lawyers have blamed their abduction and killing as a handiwork of the military.
But Reynaldo “Rey” Salas, secretary general of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) thinks otherwise.
“This is a scheme or plan of the communists in order to discredit the military and put them into the bad light,” Salas said.
He commented that the accusation made by the lawyer of both activists was “a patterned scheme in other areas in the country, a part and parcel of the communist propaganda to muddle the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
In a separate statement, lawyer Jose Begil said that Narcisco Antigulas and Dagami Butlig were just poor people, a driver and a farmer.
He narrated what witnesses told him that armed men in full battle gear riding a double-cab bumped the duo’s motorcycle.
Begil identified the army’s 30th IB based in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer as the prime suspect, adding Antigulas was able to scamper away but was shot. Begil added that the two were then handcuffed and brought to an undisclosed location.
The Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Norte (NAMASUN-KMP), has condemned the act.
Virginio Lincuna, deputy secretary-general of NAMASUN-KMP for Caraga, said they condemned the ruthless, unjustifiable and barbaric act of the suspects in abducting the Antigulas and Butlig. He called on for the help of newly-elected officials in the city and province to facilitate the release of the two.
In a text message, Col. Isidro Purisima, commanding officer of the 30th IB reacted by declaring that the accusation was baseless and fabricated.
He also stressed there was no police blotter, record or report in any police precincts which indicate that the two were abducted by armed men. He said no members from either PISTON or KMP were in their custody.
In a huddle with this writer, Ceriaco Antigulas, father of Narciso, commented that his son’s abductors should have used the legal process if they thought he committed any crime.
“Kon naa man untay ilang nakita nga mga salaod sa akong anak ipaagi unta sa legal nga proseso kay sa akong kabahin dili makatarunganon ang gibuhat sa mga responsible,” he said.
On the other hand, Michael Butlig, brother of Dagami, believes his brother and Antigulas were still alive.
When asked, he has this message to Michael: “Relax lang ug ayaw ka rattle. Presence of mind and don’t forget to pray. Naa kita kanunay sa Ginoo nga nag-uban kanato, so, dapat magpakalig-on kita.”