v11n0203

At the time of his death, Ligaspo was earning a living as
motorcycle driver. Prior to Ligaspo’s death, however, the military
had already been allegedly harassing and threatening to kill him.
The military had accused Ligaspo of being a sympathizer of a
rebel group, the nPA.
A month prior to his death, Ligaspo was together with his
brother and five other peasants when they were forcibly taken by
14 military men belonging to the 36th IB-PA into a military truck,
on February 20. They were taken to the military headquarters
stationed in Scaling, Barangay San Roque, Bislig City, Surigao
del Sur. The military accused them of supporting the rebels.
while inside the headquarters, the military subjected them
to questioning and took photos and video recordings of them.
They had them interrogated separately in different rooms as
to whether or not they had a certain affiliation or knowledge of
the rebels’ activities and those of their supporters. They were
subjected to questioning in the absence of legal counsel, and
were psychologically tortured. Their relatives and family members
went to the headquarters asking for their whereabouts. At that
time they were under the military’s custody. Before leaving the
camp, they were allegedly threatened that they would be killed
if they continued supporting the rebels, an allegation that the
victims denied.
After Ligaspo’s killing, no suspect was arrested or charged.
Story 77: Killing two young activists on pretext of
‘legitimate encounter’
Victims:
1. Ronilo Brezuela, 16, of Sitio, Maligaya, Barangay Alayao,
Capalonga, Camarines Norte. He was a farmer and a member
of a youth political party, Kabataan Youth
2. Roberto Bagasbas, Jr. (a.k.a. Junjun), 27, of Sitio Ulipanan,
Barangay Dahican, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte. He
was also a member of the same party. He was a fisherman.
Alleged perpetrators: Elements of the Alpha Company of the 31st
IB-PA based in Tigbinan Base, Labo, Camarines Norte
Date of incident: 15 May 2007
Place of incident: Sitio Santolan, Barangay Old Camp and
Barangay Mataqui, Capalonga, all in the same province.
AHRC-UA-168-2007
At 7am on 15 may 2007, Ronilo Brezuela and Roberto Bagasbas,
Jr. were tasked to deliver food rations for their colleagues who
were serving as election monitors. That was the last time they
were seen alive.
On may 17, Bagasbas’ father, Roberto Sr., learned that two
dead bodies were lying at the Capalonga plaza for the purpose
of determining their identities. when the elder Bagasbas learned
article 2 � June-Sept 2012 Vol. 11, No. 2-3
“
A month prior to
his death, Ligaspo
was together with
his brother and five
other peasants when
they were forcibly
taken by 14 military
men.
”
137