Booc of ‘Bakwit School 7’ killed in armed encounter in Davao de Oro

A photo of ‘Bakwit 7’ taken after they were released on May 14, 2021, after being arrested during a so-called inter-agency ‘rescue operation’ on February 15, in one of the universities in Cebu City. In black and white is Chad Booc who was reportedly killed in an armed encounter in Davao de Oro .| contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — One of the seven individuals who were arrested on February 15, 2021, by authorities during a so-called ‘rescue operation’ of the 19 minors inside a retreat house in a university in Cebu City, was among those killed in an encounter with the military in Davao de Oro on Thursday, February 24, 2022.

In a report by the 10th Infantry Division, the armed encounter happened early morning in Purok-8, Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro between the military and alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTGs).

Five alleged members of the CTG were reportedly killed in the encounter including Chad Booc, one of the seven Lumad teachers who were arrested after an inter-agency “rescue operation” conducted on Feb. 15 last year.

Authorities also identified the other fatalities as Jojarain Alce Nguho II alias Rain, a certain alias Daday and two still unidentified men.

“In a series of armed encounters, five members of the CTG were killed in the clash, while it is believed that there are still several others wounded based on the bloodstains in the encounter site,” reads the report of the 10th ID, Office Division Public Affairs.   

Other suspected members of the CTG allegedly fled towards the south after the 15-minute clash. The military found one M653 rifle, one caliber 45 pistol, one hand grenade, one anti-personnel mine, assorted food supplies, and personal belongings.

Booc was arrested last year for being one of those who allegedly held several Indigenous People, specifically minors from Talaingod in Mindanao last February 15, 2021.

They were charged with violations of the Child Abuse Law, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.

Arrested with him at that time were Segundo Lagatos Melong, Benito Dalim Bay-ao, Moddie Langayed Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Paumba Oribawan, and Jomar Bena.

The cases filed against them, however, were dismissed by Provincial Prosecutor Norman Solis of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Davao Del Norte last May 5.

The Provincial Prosecutor also ordered for their immediate release. They were released on May 14, 2021.

In the same report of the 10th Infantry Division, Booc graduated Cum Laude from UP Diliman with a degree of Bachelor of Computer Science.

“He was a known activist and recruiter to the CTG even in his UP days. He was also involved in Manilakbayan, a protest march organized by the CTG involving Indigenous Peoples coming mainly from Mindanao in 2015,” their report read.

“After his college days, he volunteered as a Mathematics teacher in the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV) in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, and later on volunteered for the Bakwit School in Cebu,” it further read

Brigadier General Jesus P Durante III, Commander 1001st Brigade said the neutralization of Chad Booc proved that ALCADEV, MISFI, Salugpungan, CTCSM, and others are indeed breeding grounds of the CTG.

“We call on to the parents whose children are still with these institutions to take action. Rescue your children immediately before it’s too late. Seek help from the authorities so that we can eventually rescue them,” Durante stated.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) Cebu, the legal counsel of Booc and other individuals previously charged in Cebu, said they are ‘still verifying the veracity of the report’.       /rcg

READ:

Police rescue ‘Lumad’ minors in Cebu; university officials surprised with operation

‘Bakwit School 7’ individuals released from detention