Police, military debunk charges of torture vs. 2 UP grads

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 12): Police, military debunk charges of torture vs. 2 UP grads

Ranking police and military officials have maintained that the arrest of the two University of the Philippines (UP) graduates in Barangay TL Padilla, Carranglan town Saturday was lawful and conducted in order.

In a press briefing at the provincial police headquarters here Monday, Nueva Ecija police director Sr. Supt. Crizaldo Nieves and Philippine Army 703rd Brigade commander Col. Felimon Santos said the arrest of Gerald Salonga,23, and Guiller Cadano,23, were result of the lawful service of the arrest warrant against a certain Ely Taray alias Omeng who supposedly hides on the house where the the two were found allegedly with firearms and explosives.

The operation to arrest Taray was undertaken by composite team from the Philippine Army, Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team--Nueva Ecija (CIDT-NE).

Taray, however, managed to elude arrest.

Nieves also dismissed reports that Dacano was tortured and forced to admit that he was a member of the communist-led New People's Army (NPA).

"They have undergone medical check-up immediately after their arrest," Nieves said, saying Salonga and Dacano were brought to Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital, a hospital run by the provincial government of Nueva Ecija, in Barangay Bitas here.

"You may see their medical check up record. We observe the process precisely to see to it that the rights of the suspects are never violated," the police officer said.

Santos clarified that the Philippine Army merely assisted police operatives in serving the warrant.

Capt. Mark Ruelos, information officer of the Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division, described the operation as "legitimate" conducted jointly by the PNP and the 7ID "to ensure that the warrant of arrest of Ely Taray alias Omeng will be served."

"The 7ID strictly adheres to the rules of law, human rights and international humanitarian law," Ruelos said.

In detention, Salonga and Dacano maintained they were in the place as volunteers to organize farmers and protect them from the perils of being misplaced in a road project.

Salonga said they have referred their cases to lawyers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=671798