Army denies abduction

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 25): Army denies abduction

The Army's 47th Infantry Battalion vehemently denied allegations that it was responsible for the abduction of a farmer in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on April 13, as the human rights group Karapatan-Negros has claimed.

Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, 47 th IB commander, yesterday challenged Karapatan-Negros to present “proof” that they were behind the alleged abduction of a certain Benny Catipan, who was then on his way home, with an unidentified companion, in Sitio Buko, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City.

In a statement it issued, KN said that the wife and mother of Catipan called on the Philippine Army to release him and investigate its units responsible for his alleged abduction.

KN said the companion of Catipan, told them that the victim was waylaid by armed elements with covered faces and wearing black shirts. The companion was allowed to go home.

Supt. Simeon Gane, Himamaylan police chief, said yesterday that the wife of Catipan reported to them on April 16 that her husband was abducted by armed men.

Gane, however, said the woman who reported the alleged incident, has not showed up at the police station until now so they could get more information from her.

Before the alleged abduction, KN claimed that the wife of the victim recalled that alleged Army soldiers wearing civilian clothes, convinced her husband to surrender, or they will always be subject to surveillances.

“We are not behind it,” Reyes said, in response to the accusations of KN.

The KN strongly condemned the alleged abduction of Catipan, and also expressed concern over what it calls rising cases of enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Negros island.

Reyes said Himamaylan City is not within the area of operations of the 47IB, although his Bravo Company unit operating in the place was placed under the supervision of the 11 th Infantry Battalion.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/April/25/topstory7.htm