Activist’s family asks SC to order her release, says she was illegally detained

The father of a 23-year-old activist who has allegedly been illegally detained by the military for nine days has asked the Supreme Court to order the Philippine Army to release her.

Arnulfo Pacalda, father of Alexandrea Pacalda, on Monday filed a petition for the issuance of the writ of habeas corpus, alleging his daughter was coerced to sign a certification saying she was voluntarily surrendering from the New People's Army (NPA).

The petition claims that Alexandrea, a volunteer for a local peasant organization in Quezon, was arrested without a warrant on September 14, brought to a military camp, then interrogated without a lawyer of her choice.

She was allegedly forced to sign documents, including a certification of voluntary surrender. The purported surrender was reported on September 17.

"According to her, she signed the affidavits because she was not in full possession of her mental faculties due to sleep and food deprivation, psywar and mental torture," the petition stated.

"She was forced to sign the documents without giving her enough time to read and understand their contents," it added.

The petition further claimed that Alexandrea said in writing that she was "tortured" and forced to appear before a notary public.

"Evidently, Alexandrea is being deprived of her liberty since she is prohibited to leave the camp and is being hoarded by soldiers," the filing stated.

It said the activist has been detained by the 201st Brigade in Calauag, Quezon "without charges and legal basis" since September 14.

Habeas corpus, which literally means "produce the body," is a recourse for questioning illegal detention. — BM, GMA News