On August 6, the 5th Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Don Carlos, Bukidnon issued a decision for the provisional dismissal of the charges of attempted murder and murder against Charisse “Chaba” Bañez and Arjie Dadizon, two of the Agusan 6. The case stemmed from a fabricated encounter between the New People’s Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2022.

“This decision underscores that the case has no basis, as the complainant again failed to appear in court,” according to the Free Agusan 6 Network. The deciding court stated that the case was clearly filed not to obtain justice, but to harass, pressure and intimidate Bañez and Dadizon.

The lawyers, families, and supporters of the Agusan 6 welcomed the court’s decision. However, they know that the struggle is far from over since the two still face other charges, including illegal possession of firearms and explosives in Trento, Agusan del Sur. Other cases of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives are also filed in Bukidnon.

Besides Bañez and Dadizon, the Agusan 6 are composed of Ronnie Igloria, Larry Montero, Grace “Nik-nik” Man-aning, and Louvaine Erika “Beng” Espina. On June 13, they were traveling from Monkayo, Davao de Oro when their vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint. The group said they were forcibly removed from their vehicle and made to lie face down.

The military and police searched the vehicle without presenting a search warrant, confiscated their belongings, allowed them to stand only after two hours, then claimed having found weapons and explosives among their belongings. They were brought to the police station in Bunawan.

Dadizon, Igloria, and Montero come from peasant families, while Man-aning is a young Lumad leader from Talaingod. Dadizon is originally from North Cotabato, while Igloria and Montero are from Compostela, Davao de Oro. They are currently detained at the Agusan del Sur Provincial Jail in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, both Bañez and Espina are former youth activists. Bañez graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). She served as university student council official and was later elected as Student Regent of the entire UP system.

Meanwhile, Espina studied at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, where she became ang active member of the League of Filipino Students.