38 of 43 suspected NPA transferred to Camp Crame
The motion filed by 2nd Infantry Division Commander Major General Jorge
Segovia for the transfer of the 38 of the 43 suspected NPA rebels,
previously arrested in Morong, Rizal on February 6, to Camp Crame has
been approved by the Acting Presiding Judge Cerrado Cesar of Morong
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 78 effective April 7, 2010.
Likewise, the motion to grant the request of the five, who broke away
from the group, to remain at the 2ID was also granted by the court.
Hence, Elenor Carandang, Cherilyn Tawagon, Valentino Paulino, Jenilyn
Pizarro and Jhon Mark Barrientos will be under the custody of Maj. Gen.
Segovia.
The commitment order for the 38 is addressed to the PNP Custodial Center
Warden at Camp Crame. Prior to their transfer, they are to undergo
medical examinations.
The Philippine Army has been criticized for the arrest of the 43 NPA
rebels, but it maintained the arrest was legitimate. The military has
also earlier issued statements belying claims of human rights
violations.
They were arrested by combined elements of the 2nd Infantry Division and
the Police Regional Office 4 while in a meeting allegedly conducted for
health workers in Morong Rizal on February 6, 2010.
Most of the attendees at the meeting in Morong, Rizal were identified
NPA members, serving as medical assistants of different guerilla units
in various NPA provincial committees.
Others are members of NPA's Special Operations Group, which carries out
liquidation orders of the NPA. They are members of the NPA guerilla
units operating in Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Central Luzon and the
Visayas.
In addition, among those seized from the raid were weapons, ammunition,
and explosive devices, a strong indication that the activities of the 43
suspects are not limited to health trainings. The presence of weapons
and explosive devices, including landmine, readily translates into
espousing violence.
With the custody transferred to the PNP, the Philippine Army is
confident for the speedy resolution of the case. The military also
submits to the order of the court as it remains committed to always
uphold legal processes and the rule of law.
We would like to ensure that the Army soldiers imbibe and live by the
basic tenets of military discipline and protection of human rights. We
are happy that our motion was granted. We can now give more focus on our
most urgent tasks of supporting the efforts for a credible election and
that of accomplishing our ISO missions.
Nonetheless, we will continue to cooperate and support the ongoing
investigation. # |
