Military to conduct probe involving soldiers in torture video

MANILA, Philippines - The military will probe an alleged torture video involving soldiers of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division uploaded on the Internet last week.

Armed Forces human rights chief Col. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said they will determine if reforms were made in military training after the alleged torture in 2008.

“Necessary actions were taken accordingly, but we have to look into the matter,” he said.

“We have been saying that human rights is a primordial concern so we will be able to look into this.”

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the probe seeks to verify the claims of the Army’s 9th Division that the training exercises prone to abuse have been discontinued.

“We are trying to confirm the innovations made to remove physical abuse in trainings,” he said.

Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade Jr. said torture is not part of its policy and blamed communist rebels for the spread of the controversial video.

“The Philippine Army believes that the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front) is behind this propaganda to once again discredit the military organization,” he said.

The supposed torture video was uploaded to YouTube by a certain “isnaypmedia” last Thursday.

The two-part video showed soldiers beating a group of recruits using sticks and ropes. The recruits seem to be grimacing in pain amid loud screams by other trainees.

The mobile phone video was reportedly taken by a certain Pfc. Jayson Cerdon, who was killed by communist rebels last August. The video was then transferred to Gregorio Banares, a local spokesman of the National Democratic Front.

Maj. Harold Cabunoc, Army 9th Division spokesman, said the alleged torture video was “a thing of the past.”

The training was meant to develop the endurance of soldiers, he added.

However, the video showed “unacceptable” practices by trainers, he said.

Cabunoc said the YouTube video was taken during the “Escape and Evasion” practical exercises of a class of recruits three years ago.

“As loyal soldiers, they are not supposed to divulge sensitive information to the enemy except their serial numbers,” he said.

Cabunoc said soldiers undergoing exercises are subjected to simulated physical pain endured during captivity.

Trainers acting as the “opposing force” are allowed only to “threaten” them by the “grimacing pain” endured by soldiers who are “tortured” by the “enemy,” he added.

Cabunoc said the instructors order trainees to scream as loud as they can as if they are being strangled and mauled to scare other recruits.

“In the so-called torture video posted in the Internet, some trainers were seen beating the ‘captives’ with ropes and small sticks,” he added.

Cabunoc said this is unacceptable because undue harm is already inflicted upon the soldier.

“This is not the correct way to mold a warrior-leader,” he said.

Cabunoc said trainers involved in the incident have been relieved and were slapped with administrative sanctions.

“Due to some abuses committed by a few trainers, the (Escape and Evasion) became counterproductive,” he said.

“Today, every soldier who finishes the basic… can attest to the fact that a scientific approach to training is already enforced.”

The Army stopped the “Escape and Evasion” exercise in 2009.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemned yesterday all forms of torture and other cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment practiced in government institutions.    

CHR chair Loretta Ann Rosales said under the new administration, the CHR is optimistic that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts would be punished.

“More importantly, the AFP, PNP and all other law enforcement agencies should disavow in unequivocal terms the use of physical, mental and psychological violence in its training activities,” she said.

Rosales said this is essential “if we are to eradicate the ‘utak pulbura’ attitude in government institutions and if we want to build a strong culture of human rights in the Philippines.” – With Rhodina Villanueva