Kaammoyo Ti Kappia (KTK) and Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA)-Karapatan announced that they obtained information regarding the whereabouts of farmer Ferdinand Bangngad (Willy), who was abducted by the 77th IB. Bangngad was one of two farmers abducted by soldiers on the night of August 11 in Sitio Salicsic, Barangay Dampig, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

On August 21, search efforts by KTK, IHRA-Karapatan, local church groups, and representatives of national minorities in Pagudpud discovered that Bangngad was jailed in Ifugao. Philippine National Police (PNP) in Asipulo informed them that the victim was detained at the station on August 20 at 3 p.m. over a pending criminal case filed in 2016.

Afterward, he was allegedly transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Kiangan town. Upon the groups’ arrival at the BJMP Kiangan, police barred them from entering, speaking with, or checking on Bangngad.

According to KTK, Bangngad’s case is clear evidence of the military’s eight day illegal detention of the victim. Recall that the 77th IB admitted to having “arrested” Bangngad on August 11 despite lacking jurisdiction and a valid arrest warrant.

The group condemned state forces for harassing Bangngad’s relatives in Ifugao when they attempted to coordinate with human rights groups. On August 21, his relatives initially agreed to meet with the groups to discuss the victim’s situation but later refused out of fear of the military.

Residents reported that the 54th IB set up checkpoints in Barangay Cawayan, Asipulo—where the Bangngad family lives—on the planned day of the meeting. This prevented the groups from visiting the barangay.

The groups had intended to talk with Bangngad’s relatives in Ifugao after receiving a report that the victim had even “visited” his relatives in Barangay Cawayan on August 15. Soldiers reportedly brought him to the community in collusion with Thomas, an alleged former rebel and brother of Bangngad, who all left after several hours.

“This reflects a broader pattern by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police of using former rebels…as tools of surveillance and coercion,” said KTK. These individuals are allegedly used to file criminal charges against just any civilian.

The groups and Bangngad’s family treated the confirmation of his whereabouts as an initial victory but declared that they would continue their efforts to provide him with legal representation and ensure his safety.

Meanwhile, they also condemned military and police for harassing Isnag Yapayao Balangon Tribal Council which cooperated with KTK and human rights groups regarding violations of Bangngad’s rights. The groups called on the 77th IB for accountability for its violations of constitutional rights, human rights agreements, and the protections Philippine law and international standards provide to indigenous peoples.

The victims and the tribe face harassment because they oppose the Cabacanan Dam project, a destructive dam to be constructed under the ₱837-million Cabacanan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (CSRIP). The Cabacanan dam is 95.10 meters high from its foundation and 248 meters wide at the base, with a storage capacity of 2.87 million cubic meters of water.