DOJ exec probing Mindoro slays harassed

Justice Undersecretary Jose Calida, who heads a task force probing the abduction-killings of two human rights activists in Oriental Mindoro last month, complained of harassment apparently by sympathizers of an Army soldier who was implicated in the crime.

Calida said he and his family have received threats through text messages and that his military security detail has been withdrawn.

This, as the DOJ task force is now ready to file charges of kidnapping and double murder against M/Sgt. Donald Caigas for the killing of human rights activists Eddie Gumanoy and Eden Marcellana last April 21.

Calida said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is preparing the charges against Caigas and two others, Aniano Flores alias "Silver" and a certain "Waway."

He said witnesses have positively identified Caigas as one of the suspects from pictures shown to them by the NBI.

Caigas revealed that the Army has questioned Caigas’ arrest at the Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig last June 3, saying it was a disrespect to soldiers.

After his arrest, Caigas was placed under the custody of the NBI.

Calida, however, said Caigas was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued against him in 1994 for a robbery case. Caigas is now out on bail.

Calida said the Army master sergeant was also implicated in the harassment of residents of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro on April 20.

Marcellana and Gumanoy, along with other human rights activists, had just come from a fact-finding mission in Gloria town when they were abducted and later killed.

"We have witnesses against him (Caigas). We gave the Army’s 204th Infantry Brigade all the opportunities to bring Caigas (to the DOJ) but despite the subpoena, they did not bring him here," Calida said.