2 of 3 suspected rebels captured in Sagada ordered released

From InterAkson (Sep 11): 2 of 3 suspected rebels captured in Sagada ordered released

Two of three alleged communist rebels captured by authorities in Sagada town Monday were ordered released by the provincial prosecutor of Mountain Province.

Acting provincial prosecutor William Dominguez, in his September 10 order, told provincial police director Senior Superintendent William Vitenio that there was no legal basis to continue detaining Armel Damsel and Gaile Cruz Santos at the provincial police office.

The two were released on recognizance to a prominent resident of Bontoc town.

The third suspect, however, identified as May Bautista Juan, was ordered committed to the provincial jail in Bontoc after it was confirmed that there was a standing warrant for her arrest on eight counts of murder.

The three were arrested Monday afternoon during a raid by police and military operatives on a tourist lodge in Mabaay, Sagada.

Earlier, Cordillera police spokesman Superintendent Davy Vicente Limmong said the raiders intended to serve a warrant of arrest on Simon Naogsan Sr., allias “Filiw,” spokesman of the New People’s Army in the region and of the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front.

Naogsan managed to escape, Limmong said.

In his order, Dominguez said police failed to show probable cause to charge Damsel and Santos for rebellion and for violating Presidential Decree 1829, which penalizes obstructing the apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders.

He did, however, find the two in violation of Article 173 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes the use of fictitious names.

Damsel supposedly identified himself as “John Miguel Martinez” while Santos allegedly uses the aliases “Sandra Castillo Reyes” and “Janica Castro.”

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/70517/2-of-3-suspected-rebels-captured-in-sagada-ordered-released