Arnel Otacan

Karapatan writes:

“In Boston, Davao Oriental, Arnel Otacan, 33, a member of the local peasant organization Nigkasinabot Koy Mag-umma Tu Boston (NIGKUMB), was shot by suspected elements of the 67th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army (IBPA) on October 28, 2017.

Otacan failed to come home on the night of the 28th, and his body was finally found the following day at a crossing in Brgy. Cabasagan, Boston. He sustained seven gunshot wounds and his knees and arms were broken.

Otacan, according to his wife, was interrogated by military intelligence agents twice before he was killed – on July 15 and July 31, 2017. Moreover, Otacan’s wife heard reports that the military was out to kill their entire family. This is prompted her and their six children to temporarily seek sanctuary for their safety.”


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Asia-Pacific

Country:The Philippines

Department/Province/State:Davao Oriental

Sex1:Male

Age:33

Date of Killing:28/10/2017

Previous Threats:No information

Type of Work:Farmer

Organisation:Nigkasinabot Koy Mag-umma Tu Boston (NIGKUMB

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Land Rights

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).