Tuesday, January 30, 2007 2 CIDG men apologize to 8 accused militants By Grace L. Plata
TWO members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) apologized to the eight militant leaders whom they have accused of inciting acts of rebellion in rally held on February 24, 2006.
Copies of the notarized written apology were furnished to the media Monday in the press conference called by the militant leaders who said they felt vindicated by the turn of events.
Ariel Casilao, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general, also one of the accused, said the final hearing for their grave misconduct and abuse of authority charges against Francis Duca and Rex Rodriguez was set for Saturday last week.
They, however, withdrew the charges after the two policemen sent a letter of apology Thursday.
In the letter, Duca and Rodriguiez said, "We attest that no criminal complaint, including the offense of rebellion, has been filed against you as a result of or in connection with the execution of our March 7, 2006 affidavit."
The affidavit was annexed to the rebellion charges against Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador at the height of the political and social unrest during the proclamation of the State of Emergency last year.
Casilao said an amicable settlement has been reached between them and the policemen that includes the retraction of the affidavit filed by Duca and
Rodriguez from public record, clearing the name of the militant leaders dubbed as the "Davao 8."
Casilao said this recent development will prove their credibility and will contribute to the change of public view towards them.
He added that unlike rebels to whom they are accused of affiliated with, their group collectively resists by exhausting all legal means provided in the Philippine Constitution.
However, Casilao admitted they could not be completely sure that all their members are not involved in underground activities.
"With the size of the organization, we cannot say for sure if there are rebels or none within the group. We only accept those who have understood and accepted the group's principle of keeping within legal bounds in all fronts and means of relaying our grievances", Casilao said.
Bayan Muna Southern Mindanao head Jeppie Ramada said this will remind law enforcers to be more careful and responsible in their actions as this can "boomerang" to them.
Aside from Casilao and Ramada, the Davao 8 includes Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) Davao City Chairperson Editha Duterte, Samahan ng mga Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa (Samakana) Davao City Chapter Chairperson Corazon Espinosa, Kilusaing Magbubukid ng Pilipas Regional Chairperson Antonio Flores, Kilusang Mayo Uno Southern Mindanao Region Chair Omar Bantayan, Gabriela Partylist National Chair Luzviminda Ilagan, and then Anakbayan leader Lorie Ann Cascaro.
