Kin accuse cops of torturing Abadilla 5

MANILA, Philippines — Relatives of the five men detained for the killing of Rolando Abadilla, a former Constabulary colonel, in 1996 pushed Thursday night for the filing of charges against policemen who they said tortured their loved ones. Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said the relatives relayed their message in protests held at two government offices dealing with the victim's complaint. The families held the protests Wednesday at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Office (Moleo). Cherelyn de Jesus, wife of Joel de Jesus; Marilou Lumanog, wife of Lenido Lumanog; and Lolita San Felipe, grandmother of Augusto Santos, had a brief dialogue with CHR Chairman Leila de Lima. The CHR had filed a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violation of the Abadilla 5's rights under custodial investigation. "However, the prosecutor investigating the case, Marilyn Campomanes, neglected the complaint by not having it resolved and filed in court for five years. Had Campomanes not been charged and punished for neglecting her duties, the DOJ would have not referred the case to other prosecutors," AHRC said in its website (www.ahrchk.net). AHRC said the CHR's findings showed there was enough evidence to prosecute the policemen responsible for torturing the Abadilla 5. These included Superintendents Romulo Sales and Bartolome Baluyot and the members of the defunct Task Force Rolly. After the dialogue with de Lima, the families proceeded to the Ombudsman's office where they held another protest to call for the Ombudsman to act on the complaint at once. Running priest Robert Reyes, now a staff member of AHRC, brought an appeal letter from the AHRC on behalf of the families and victims, urging the Ombudsman to resolve and act on the case. But security guards at the Ombudsman restrained Reyes from unfolding a streamer demanding action from the Ombudsman. "The families and the five men, who were simulating the Abadilla Five's experiences, were not allowed to carry on with the protest. The guards and the police securing the area never let go of them until they had them led out from the Ombudsman office's premises. The protesters, however, carried on with their protest from outside the gate," AHRC said. Guards eventually allowed Reyes and the families in into the Ombudsman's lobby to have the appeal letter received, but they barred the families from accompanying Reyes to the office where the letter was to be received. They were not been to meet the Ombudsman for a dialogue. - GMANews.TV