NORDIS WEEKLY
June 4, 2006

 

Home | To bottom

Previous | Next
 

Two of 11 punks free

Police abductors faces new raps

BAGUIO CITY (June 2) — Two of the 11 punks were finally released on May 30, following a motion to release at the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Buguias town by virtue of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, which automatically dismisses criminal cases committed by minors 15 years old and below and 15 years old and one day to 18 years, provided they have acted without discernment.

Freed are Frencess Ann Bernal, 15, and Ray Lester Mendoza, 16, who were among the 11 Sagada-bound punks illegally arrested last February 14 by elements of the Benguet based 1064th Police Mobile group headed by Chief Supt. Brent Madjaco for allegedly raiding a military detachment in Mankayan, Benguet.

Eight other punks expect release on June 9, if the prosecution will not re-file a case against them after homicide with robbery charges were quashed. Punk supporters declared they would intensify their protests if the government fails to release them on the said date.

Rundren Lao, who was recaptured in Baguio City by virtue of an arrest warrant after he fled Buguias, will be left behind, pending hearings on the case.

New raps vs. Benguet cops

Meanwhile, the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), said the punks are filing raps anew versus six policemen, including Benguet Police Director Sr. Supt. Villamor Bumanglag for illegally detaining the victims for 52 hours.

Human rights lawyer Noe Villanueva and Joris Karl Dacawi, also of FLAG, agree that raps against Benguet-based 1604th Police Mobile Group Chief Supt. Brent Madjaco, Senior Inspector Joseph Paulo Bayongasan, Senior Police Officer 1 Alyson Kalang-ed, Police Officers 2 Jonathan Pucya, Wendell Baglao, James Ayan Jr., and Bumanglag will be lodged this week at the Benguet prosecutor’s office.

Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code only allows law enforcement authorities a maximum of 36 hours to “hold” detainees.

Benguet police admitted before Judge Agapito Laoagan of the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in La Trinidad, Benguet that the 11 were arrested noon of February 14. However, robbery with homicide raps were forwarded on 5PM of February 16, which FLAG lawyers claimed, is a clear violation.

“Judge Laoagan already ruled that the arrest was illegal after finding that the policemen had no personal knowledge of facts indicating that the persons had committed the offense,” FLAG National Chairperson Pablito Sanidad said. He added that the moment the court ruled the arrest was illegal, arbitrary detention was already in effect.

The Revised Penal Code penalizes violation of Article 125 with “aresto mayor” or a minimum jail term of one month to a maximum of six months, Dacawi said.

Last March, separate criminal raps against the policemen were filed at the Benguet prosecutor’s office for violating their rights as detainees and for not providing them lawyers while under interrogation. Separate administrative complaints were also filed before the Napolcom for grave misconduct, oppression and conduct unbecoming of a police officer for the allegedly torturing them.

In addition, Bernal and Mendoza filed separate child abuse cases each against Bumanglag, Madjaco and the five other policemen.

Bumanglag, exonerated himself from the charges claiming that he was not present during the arrest and that his only participation was sending a legal team to help in preparing the raps. However, Sanidad thinks that Bumanglag will be included because Madjaco and five others claimed that he was consulted throughout the operation.

As this developed, support pours in with a Malacañang official and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressing concern over the plight of the detained punks especially Rundren Berloize Lao, 24; Jethro Villegas, 21, and Anderson Alonzo, 18, who hail from Malagos, Calinan, Davao City. A certain Major Adalin from the office of Duterte is offering help for the three.

Apparently, the families of Lao, Villegas and Alonzo are well known villagers of a barangay adjacent to a military camp in Davao City and many are willing to testify that the three are not NPA’s, Sanidad said.

Punk fest

Earlier, the Philippine Punk Community, friends and supporters held a 48-hour noise barrage from May 27 to 28 at the Sunshine Park, here.

Jay (refused to give his last name), a punk, said the activity aimed to draw public attention and support for the immediate release of their friends. He criticized the government for its turtle-paced action on the punk case.

“It is sad to think that while Erap supporters reportedly abducted by AFP were immediately released upon DOJ order, our friends are still in jail,” he said.

Aurora Hill resident Marie Santos, 41, who gave out loaves of bread and instant noodles, said she supports the group because she is also a mother.

The annual convention here which gathered punks from various regions also served as a venue to educate young and new members about campaigns like the “Food not Bombs”, the call for the government to provide food for the people instead of waging war against them. # Ace Alegre and Joel A. Capulong for NORDIS

Post your comments, reactions to this article


Home | Back to top

Previous | Next