A human rights group decried the detention of eight individuals and the disappearance of three others following a military and police operation in Agusan del Sur.

In a statement, Karapatan Southern Mindanao said nine people — identified as Charisse Bernadine Bañez, Ronnie Igloria, Louvaine Erika Espina, Sinag Lugsi, Larry Montero, Daryl Man-Inday, Arjie Guino Dadizon, Grace Niknik Man-aning, and Leo Taba — along with two unnamed drivers were arrested around 9 p.m. on June 13 while traveling from Monkayo, Davao de Oro. The arrest was carried out by elements of the 66th and 67th Infantry Battalions and the Bunawan Municipal Police at a checkpoint in Bunawan town.

Charisse, a former student leader, served as student regent of the University of the Philippines in 2009. During her time at UP Los Baños, she held key positions in the student council, leading campaigns against tuition hikes and advocating for students’ rights. Beyond the campus, Bañez emerged as a prominent leader in Anakbayan and the League of Filipino Students.

The group said those arrested were “forcibly removed from the vehicles, ordered to lie face down around two hours.” Karapatan added that their vehicles were searched without warrants and their personal belongings confiscated. “They were told to stand up after two hours and saw armaments and explosives arranged with their belongings,” the statement said.

They were then brought to the Bunawan Municipal Police Station. Karapatan alleged that while in custody, they were “relentlessly interrogated by military officials from evening until morning” and “subjected to psychological torture.” The group also said that soldiers guarded their cells and that it took “over 36 hours before they were allowed access to basic needs.”

By the morning of June 14, two individuals who identified themselves as Leo Taba’s parents arrived at the station to look for him. “It was only then discovered that Leo and the two drivers were no longer with the group,” the group said. Karapatan added that a Quick Response Team sent that day was blocked by the military and prevented from speaking to the detainees.

The group denounced what it described as an illegal arrest. It said the individuals were taken without warrants, and that state forces “planted explosives and firearms as evidence.” The detainees have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Karapatan noted that the arresting forces were not equipped with body cameras.

“Leo Taba and the two drivers are still missing as of this writing,” the group said, citing possible violations of the Anti-Torture Act and the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act.

Karapatan Southern Mindanao called for the immediate release of the eight detainees and for the surfacing of the missing individuals. It also demanded respect for the detainees’ legal rights, including access to counsel, family contact, and basic needs.#