Asian rights lawyers eye letter campaign for ‘Sagada 11’

Lawyers of 11 backpackers whom police allegedly tortured after suspecting them to be communist guerrillas on Saturday sought the withdrawal of “fabricated" charges against their clients. But with the backpackers still jailed and denied basic rights, Asian human rights advocates are eyeing a mail brigade to wake Philippine government officials. “Please write letters to the concerned government agencies ... requesting for their appropriate action in this case. The court must resolve without delay the victims’ petition to withdraw the charges against them. If indeed the charges are found to have been fabricated and evidence taken by way of torture, they must be withdrawn immediately. The National Police Commission (Napolcom) must also resolve with urgency the complaint filed before them against the policemen involved. The promptness of Napolcom’s decision is essential in filing appropriate criminal and administrative charges against the police in court," the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said in a statement. The AHRC noted the victims, dubbed the “Sagada 11," were arraigned in court in La Trinidad, Benguet last March 23 on charges ranging from robbery to arson. It also asked letter-writers to request the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in Baguio City to ensure that the victims are afforded with adequate medical treatment and trauma counseling. DSWD must ensure the victim’s full physical and mental recovery while in detention and allegations of failure and inaction by some of their staff must be dealt with accordingly, it said. FABRICATED Citing its information, the AHRC said the victims insist the charges against them are fabricated and that they were tortured into forcibly admitting the offense. The AHRC which is based in Hong Kong and was founded in 1984, also voiced concern of possible delays by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in resolving the complaints against the policemen involved. It likewise lamented the victims’ plight, noting they are still detained at a jail in La Trinidad, Benguet – despite a court order to transfer two of the minors in the case. At least six lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) are representing the 11 victims in court, the group noted. “(We are) deeply concerned over the possible delay by the Napolcom in resolving the complaint filed against the policemen ... Despite a court order to transfer the two minors in this case, only one was transferred to a juvenile detention center," it said. It added that efforts by the local Social Welfare Department based in Baguio City to initiate the transfer of the other minors have been “negligible." A staff member from the DSWD was reported to have said that there was some reservation in transferring the minors given the gravity of the case, the group said. APPROPRIATE TREATMENT On the other hand, the AHRC said that while the victims are in jail, they did not get government-sponsored medical treatment or trauma counseling. “Although they were already subjected to medical examinations, the effort on the part of the government, in particular the DSWD to afford them with appropriate treatment to ensure their full physical and mental recovery is questionable. Additionally, the supply of toiletries and other essential items for the victim’s personal use while inside the jail is insufficient. The AHRC has previously issued other appeals depicting the extremely poor condition of jails and medical facilities in the Philippines," the group said. Still detained are Rundren Berloize Lao, 24, of Gerona, Tarlac; Anderson Alonzo, 18, of Calinan, Davao City; Aldoz Christian Manoza, 18,of Sampaloc St., Santolan, Pasig City; Ron Pandino, 20, of Barangay Mayatba, Siniloan, Laguna; Ray Lester Mendoza, 16, of Blk. 157 Lot 32 San Francisco St., Barangay Rizal, Makati City; Jethro Villagracia, 21, of Calinan, Davao City; Neil Russel Balajadia, 25, of No. 026 Tawiran St., Santolan, Pasig City; Darwin Alagar, 21, of Barangay Tipuso, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; Arvie Nunez, 21, of Barangay Silangang Mayao, Lucena City; Jefferson dela Rosa, 20, of No. 211 A.M. De Leon St., Santolan, Pasig City; and Frencess Ann Bernal, 15, of Calumpang, Marikina City. TORTURERS Their alleged “torturers" were from the 1604th Police Provincial Mobile Group (PPMG) headed by police Superintendent Brent Madjaco, elements of the 3rd Company of Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG) headed by police Senior Inspector Joseph Paolo Bayungasan, and unidentified military agents. The incident took place between February 14 and 16 at Abatan, Buguias, Benguet. The plight of the backpackers was first published on-line by GMA News and was later featured in Reporters’ Notebook. NO ENABLING LAW Meanwhile, the AHRC scored the Philippine government for its lack of an enabling law that will prevent similar torture cases in the future. “The enactment of this bill is a precondition for the effective redress to victims of torture and improvement of human rights in the country," it said. AHRC said the letters may be sent to Napolcom chairman and interior secretary Ronaldo Puno (rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph); Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta (fax 9276810/9262878); PNP chief Arturo Lomibao (fax 7248763); Commission on Human Rights CHR Jocelyn Castillo (telephone 074-06199088/074-6199089); CHR chairwoman Purificacion Quisumbing (drpvg@chr.gov.ph); Deputy Ombudsman for military Orlando Casimiro (telephone 9269032); Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture (ssyed@ohchr.org); Leandro Despouy, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers (scronin@ohchr.org); and Jacob Egbert Doek, Chairperson, Committee on the Rights of the Child OHCHR-UNOG (Switzerland, fax +41229179022).-GMANews.TV