Wednesday, September 27, 2006 Commission to probe Army group, RPA-ABB
THE Commission on Human Rights-Bacolod will probe members of the Philippine Army Task Group North and the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) on complaints of illegal arrest, search and detention of 10 members of Teatro Obrero.
Complaints for violation of domicile, divestment of property, maltreatment, violation of the rights of persons under custodial investigation and violation of an act providing for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse will also to be filed against Task Group North head Lieutenant Colonel Felecisimo Budiongan and the RPA-ABB.
Romeo Baldevarona, Commission Human Rights-Bacolod officer-in-charge, Tuesday said there were lapses in the manner of the apprehension made by the RPA-ABB members led by Eduardo "Tata" Laguna and a certain Sergeant Salvino.
He, however, said the names of Laguna and Salvino is still subject for verification, "if these names really exist or just fictitious names."
"We are thoroughly weighing the allegation of both parties. We asked the Teatro Obrero to supply us with appropriate information so we can dig deeper on their complaints," Baldevarona said.
The group, together with the Advancement of People's Right, Karapatan-Negros, and National Federation of Sugar Workers, claimed they were arrested illegally and abducted in Sitio Bato-Bato, Barangay Tabun-ac, Toboso town last September 13.
Teatro Obrero secretary-general Nona Espinosa said they were only practicing a cultural show for the Escalante massacre anniversary when 19 armed men, alleged to be members of the RPA-ABB led by Laguna and 11th IB under the command of Salvino, arrived and forcibly drag them out from their member's house.
She said the armed men entered and searched the house of Melanie Cellon and confiscated the personal belongings of Teatro Obrero members.
Arrested were Espinosa, Rona Amion, Jimmy Amion, Arman Amante, Lorna Jimenez, Archie Jimenez, Alberto Ejosa, Justiano Palay, all legal ages, Alfie Amion, 13; and Lalen Lucero, 17 from Escalante City.
All members were separated and were interrogated by the 11th IB and the RPA-ABB until 5 p.m. of the same day. While Palay, was hit with the butt of an M16 Armalite rifle. They were all threatened to be killed if they will not obey the order of the army, Teatro Obrero's position paper reads.
By 7 p.m., they were endorsed at the office of the Philippine National Police of Toboso and pictures were individually taken from them like criminals, it added.
To these allegations, Baldevarona said he could not make a recommendation on the complaint due to the lack of sufficient documents.
Baldevarona said the army claimed that some of the arrested Teatro Obrero members are not cultural workers but NPA recruits.
"We will be making our recommendation once we have evaluated the complaints of both parties," said Baldevarona. (RLB)
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