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41st IB detains 4 Abra farmers

Rights watchdog condemns act

TAYUM, Abra (Nov. 21) — Due to the worsening civil and political rights violations in this province, the Abra Human Rights Alliance (AHRA) conducted a para-legal training (PLT) on November 20 and 21 at the St. Catherine Parish Church Hall, in this municipality. The training aims to equip the participants with skills on how to address any related violations.

The PLT become a practical training for the participants to locate the whereabouts of four farmers, namely, Carmelo Tauro, Judy Cuesta, Peping Cabradilla, and Nestor Calope. The farmers were allegedly arbitrarily arrested and detained on November 18 by the Bravo Company of the 41st IBPA headed by a certain Lt. Torillo. It was not known whether the farmers were from the same municipality.

Families of the victims reecho eyewitnesses’ claim that unidentified members of Lt. Torillo’s team arrested the four farmers who were on their way to work when the incident happened.

AHRA formed a quick-reaction-team (QRT) on November 20 headed by lawyer Mary Ann Bayang, who was also a resource speaker for the training was formed to search for the farmers. The team then proceeded to Barbarit Headquarters in Lagangilang.

While at the headquarters, a soldier referred the team to Lt. Torillo, who was sleeping at that time. While waiting for the officer to wake up, the team interviewed the soldier and found out that the farmers were in their custody earlier but were later transferred to Kasamata Park in Bangued on the 19th. The soldier further claimed that the farmers were supposed to be brought back in the afternoon of the 20th. It was in the course of the interview that the team identified the whereabouts and abductors of the farmers.

When Lt. Torillo woke up, he told the team that the farmers were already released.

“Ni-release na namin sila kahapon pa kaya wala sila dito ngayon. Inimbitahan lang naman namin kasi sila (para sa alam ninyo na)”, he said.

Torillo admitted arresting the team because they are New People’s Army (NPA) supporters. The team requested the officer to sign a certification that they have released the four victims, but Torillo refused. The said document also instructed Torillo and company to return confiscated items, including a cell phone.

The team proceeded to the Kasamata Park Headquarters to check the victims. A certain Sgt. Alberto said that the victims were already released.

“Ni-release na namin sila. Ako pa nga ang naghatid sa kanila ngayon lang, kasi may ibinaba nang order for their release,” he said. Yet, he refused to sign a document affirming the farmers’ release.

At the jeepney terminal, the team confirmed that the four farmers were on their way home.

AHRA leaders claimed that the farmers arrest, seizure of their belongings, and their detention without warrant and valid reasons is a clear violation of their constitutional rights.

“This is only one case among countless human rights violations committed by the elements of the 41st IBPA, as they furthered to fight for the safeguard of human rights, not only to the people of Abra, but to the Filipino people as well, AHRA ended. # Richard Laus for NORDIS

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