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Home/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ September 24, 2009, GMA NEWS, 12:16 AM, Youth activist to file charges vs alleged military abductors, by Aie Balagtas See,

September 24, 2009, GMA NEWS, 12:16 AM, Youth activist to file charges vs alleged military abductors, by Aie Balagtas See,

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September 24, 2009, GMA NEWS, 12:16 AM, Youth activist to file charges vs alleged military abductors, by Aie Balagtas See, 

The 26-year-old member of militant youth organization Anakbayan who was allegedly kidnapped and tortured by military agents will slap charges against his abductors, a human rights group said Wednesday.

Tanggulan Youth Network for Human Rights and Civil Liberties spokesperson Cristina Guevarra told GMANews.TV in a phone interview that victim Noriel Rodriguez will seek a writ of amparo before the Supreme Court next week against the military’s 17th Infantry Battalion.

"Inaaral pa yung (we are still studying) possible criminal charges such as abduction, unlawful arrest," Guevarra said.

A writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened and thus urgently needs protection. Recently instituted by the Philippine judiciary, it covers extralegal killings and enforced disappearances or threats thereof.

Guevarra claimed that Rodriguez was seized at gunpoint by four men, believed to be members of the 17th IB on Sept. 7, in Barangay Tapel in Gonzaga, Cagayan province.

She said he was abducted based on suspicion that he was a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA). While under detention, Rodriguez allegedly underwent “extraordinary" forms of torture.

“Hinihipan yung right ear niya nang gamit ang straw habang nakatakip yung kabilang tenga at bibig. Kapag tina-transfer siya, pinapadapa siya, tapos inuupuan siya ng mga sundalo, mga ganon," Guevarra said.

(Using a plastic straw, they blew air into his right ear while his other ear and mouth were cupped shut. Whenever he was transferred, the soldiers made him lie prone and sat on him, things like that.)

Col. Remigio De Vera, head of the Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade that supervises the 17th IB, denied the accusations.

In a separate phone interview, De Vera explained Rodriguez was an NPA member who was “under surveillance" when apprehended. He said the victim did not resist the arrest and has since become a government “asset" against the NPA.

Rodriguez was released 10 days after his supposed abduction but was forced to sign a document stating that he was a “rebel surrenderee" and was not forcibly taken, Guevarra said.

She also expressed misgivings about the participation of Commission on Human Rights investigator Antonio Cruz, whom she claimed was in “connivance" with the military in forcing Rodriguez to sign the documents.

Guevarra said Cruz even allowed the military to follow Rodriguez and his family from Cagayan to their Manila residence and to take pictures of their house.

“CHR Antonio Cruz was there all along. Ibig sabihin ba nito, mas makapangyarihan ang military sa civil body na CHR? (Does this mean that the military has more power than the civilian CHR?)" Guevarra said.

She expressed alarm that CHR’s regional offices could not safeguard the rights of civilians.

CHR chair Leila de Lima, for her part, said the “connivance" issue was a serious accusation that the human rights agency should look into. But she said she could not give further comments because she just received a confidential report on Rodriguez’ abduction that is still being “evaluated." - GMANews.TV

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