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Friday, December 22, 2006
Backpackers nabbed in Benguet freed
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The nine backpackers, three of whom are from Davao City, who were arrested in Benguet province in February this year were released from jail on Wednesday.
The three backpackers from Davao City were identified as Rundren Berloize Lao, Anderson Taboacnon Alonzo, 18, and Jethro Villagracia, 21.
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They were among the backpackers accused by police of being members of the New People's Army and responsible for the raid on a military detachment in Mankayan town last February 10.
Other backpackers ordered released by the court were Aldoz Christian Mañoza, 18, Ron Baquiran Pandino, 20, Ray Lester Esguerra Mendoza, 16, Neil Russel Sarmiento Balajadia, 25, Darwin Padilla Alagar, 21, and Arvie Molmog Nuñez, 21.
Two among the group were released earlier in May for being minors.
Benguet Regional Trial Court Judge Benigno Galacgac dismissed the homicide and arson cases against the youth backpackers for lack of evidence.
The backpackers who called their group "Punks R Us" are from Metro Manila, Ilocos, Southern Tagalog and Davao City.
Benguet policemen and soldiers arrested them while they were on their way to Sagada, Mt. Province.
The youth backpackers said they were going to the tourist town for an adventure trek.
"We, the Punks 11, have received the best Christmas gift. We leave the Benguet provincial jail after more than 10 months of incarceration due to charges that we are innocent of. We thank our parents, brothers and sisters, and other relatives who stood by us during the difficult times. This experience made us closer to each other. We have realized the value of family care and love," the group said in a statement after their release.
Their arrest and detention earned media attention. An online petition for their release gathered more than 2,000 signatures from the Philippines and abroad. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (December 22, 2006 issue)
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