Karapatan accuses cop of dishonesty

CEBU, Philippines - The Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights, otherwise known as Karapatan, recently filed an administrative case for alleged simple neglect of duty and dishonesty against SPO1 Henaro Nodado as a counter-charge for the kidnapping case he filed against Vimarie Arcilla, public information officer of the said group.

Arcilla was accused of kidnapping because of the fact-finding mission they conducted in search for the abducted Calixto Alfante.

Karapatan requested an investigation on Nodado’s basis in filing the case even if such was already dismissed last October 27, 2008.

Karapatan also questioned why Nodado filed the case when he was the one who “conducted the blotter” filed by Arcilla and Alfante’s wife.

The administrative case was filed at the National Police Commission.

According to Jean Suarez, in-charge of documentation for Karapatan, the police must not allow themselves to be used by the Inter-agency Legal Action Group in filing cases with no proper basis. He added that it is even recommended by the United Nations to “dismantle the group” because they are “just politically harassing activists” in order to threaten them.

Karapatan also filed a civil case asking P700,000 for damages. –Ana Coritha Desamparado (THE FREEMAN)