Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Tacloban 6 arrest due to illegal possession of firearms, explosives, NTF ELCAC tells media

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 11, 2020): Tacloban 6 arrest due to illegal possession of firearms, explosives, NTF ELCAC tells media (By Ninfa Barcena-Quirante)

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) –The security forces of the region reiterated that the arrest of #Tacloban 6 was due to illegal possession of firearms and explosives and not because they are staunch critics of the Duterte administration.

In PIA’s Panginsayod presscon, Atty. Marlon Bosantog, lawyer of the National Task Force End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), faced the media and stressed that they were arrested via a search warrant that found a probable cause.


Police RO8 RD Ferdinand Divina stresses a point at PIAs Panginsayod about the Tacloban 6, with him are 8th ID MGen. Pio Dinoso, NTF ELCAC Lawyer, Marlon Bosantog and PIA Regional Director Erlinda Olivia Tiu. (Photo by Raul Tiozon)

"I was sent here to ensure that due process is observed, that no human rights violation was done," the young lawyer told the local media.

The lawyer said that it disheartens him that the suspects are so young and that they have committed a serious crime.

The Tacloban 6 were named such because the six persons charged for illegal possession of firearms and explosives were arrested in Tacloban City.

Charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives were Frenchi Mae Cumpio and Marielle Alvez Domequil.

The crime for illegal possession of firearms is bailable for P120,000 but for illegal possession of explosives it is non- bailable.


As to the other suspects, Alexander Philip Dizon Abinguna and Rogelio Jun Berino , their crime illegal possession of firearms and explosives is non-bailable.


Tacloban media are in full force to ask questions about the arrest of Tacloban 6 at PIAs Panginsayod on Feb. 10 at the PIA Regional Office 8 in Tacloban City. (photo: Raul Tiozon)

Mira Legion and Marissa Cabaljao were also charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions, bailable for P120,000.

The lawyer said he filed the case against the mentioned personalities and ensured that there was due process and that no human rights were ever violated.

He alluded that the suspects are victims of radicalization and he is sad about the turn of events.

The 8th Infantry Division Commander Pio Diñoso agreed , that he, too is not happy about the arrest.

"Wala tayong dapat ikatuwa, ang mga magulang lungkot na lungkot, they did not know how deep the involvement of their children had been," Diñoso said.

He said he noticed that they are so young, he blames the NPA who gravely radicalized them.

"We cannot say that they use the firearms but these were in their possession," he said.

When one media alleged that the security forces just "planted" the evidence, the lawyer was quick to say that suspects' standard defense is that 'evidence is planted.'

"It is easy for them to say that, but they will have their day in court to prove their innocence."

He also welcomes them, if the lawyers of the suspects will file a case against the arresting officers.

"It is their right, but whether it is meritorious, will depend." "Kung gusto nila mag-file ng kaso sa police, then the police will have their chance to prove their innocence." (nbq/PIA-8/RTF ELCAC-8 Stratcom Cluster)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034340

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