Relatives want NPA suspects presented in court

MANILA, Philippines - Relatives of 43 health workers arrested in a military raid in Morong, Rizal Saturday on suspicion of being New People’s Army rebels asked the Supreme Court yesterday to order the Armed Forces and the police to present them in court to determine the legality of their detention.

In a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, the petitioners said the health workers were denied their right to see relatives and lawyers for almost three days in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.

It was only last Monday afternoon when some relatives, along with Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima, were allowed inside the camp to talk to them, according to the petition.

Named as respondents were Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, Army 2nd Infantry Division commander Gen. Jorge Segovia, 202nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Aurelio Baladad, and Rizal police director Superintendent Marion Balonglong.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division said they have witnesses who have identified the arrested suspects as NPA rebels.

Military lawyers will study what legal action to take in response to the habeas corpus petition, he added.

Cayetano calls for inquiry

Sen. Pia Cayetano called yesterday for a Senate inquiry into the arrest of 43 health workers in Morong, Rizal Saturday after accusing the military of violating their constitutional rights.

In a resolution, Cayetano asked the Senate national defense and security committee to look into the military raid and mass arrest in aid of legislation.

“This is a clear violation of their constitutional rights to liberty and presumption of innocence until proven otherwise,” read the resolution.

“This act should not be tolerated by the Arroyo regime. I would like to remind the arresting officers that our country is not under martial law anymore.”

Cayetano said the warrant used by the military to arrest the 43 health workers was flawed.

“Since when can an arrest warrant issued against a specified person be used for a mass arrest?” read the resolution.

Cayetano said the raiders belonging to the Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade should be made accountable for violating the rights of the 43 health workers, who are now detained in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Cayetano said the military has no authority to detain any citizen on mere suspicion of being communist rebels or supporters.

Meantime, doctors and health workers were allegedly tortured and sexually harassed while in detention in Camp Capinpin.

Dr. Geneve Rivera, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) secretary-general, said based on detainees’ accounts, the military subjected them to various forms of torture and sexual harassment.

“They were not allowed to go to the bathroom on their own, and their custodians were the ones who removed their underwear every time they had to urinate,” she said. – Edu Punay, Alexis Romero, Christina Mendez, Michael Punongba-yan, Mayen Jaymalin