The 26th IB soldiers mercilessly massacred the Gomansil family at Dayuman River, Barangay San Vicente (Balagnan), Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur on December 15, 2024. Months after the heinous crime, justice and accountability for the massacre remains elusive.

The butchers killed the family Toto Gomansil, Toni Gomansil and their daughter Celine Gomansil. They were accused of having links with the New People’s Army (NPA) and the revolutionary movement in the province.

Before the crime, the Gomansil family asked permission from the soldiers deployed at a nearby detachment to work on their farm. the soldiers imposed this requirement as part of their illegal hamletting of communities and subjection to military rule.

Despite their “request for permission,” the soldiers went after and tied up the couple Toto and Toni. Soldiers subjected them to intense interrogation and repeatedly asked them if knew of the NPA presence in their community, which the couple denied. They were also asked about Celine’s husband who they accused of being an NPA fighter.

Later, the soldiers stabbed the couple to death. Celine tried to run after witnessing the killing of her parents but was quickly shot by the soldiers. The soldiers ever desecrated her body by cutting it in half.