The regime has attempted to discredit the Filipino-American activist using the notorious butcher Jovito Palparan and anti-communist vigilante leader Pastor Alcover Jr.

Palparan and Alcover allege that it was the New Peoples Army (NPA) that abducted Roxas because she wanted to leave the revolutionary movement. Even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) top brass and spokesperson joined the bandwagon. They wove a tall tale and presented video footage and photographs to back up their allegations.

Palparan and Alcover even went as far as to insinuate that Roxas' abduction and torture were justified because she is a member of the communist movement. According to the laughable script of these two lunatics, Roxas merely wants to tarnish the image of Gloria Arroyo's regime.

Roxas, however, consistently and firmly denies these accusations.

Palparan and Alcover are singing the same tune sung by Malacañang and the AFP when news first broke on Roxas' abduction and torture--that what happened to her was "fabricated" and "stage-managed". These actions only further highlight the Arroyo regime's long time practice of washing its hands of the abduction, torture and death of numerous activists, heaping the blame on the victims themselves and hurling accusations at the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New Peoples Army (NPA).

See video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLjpwgaV5NY



Atty. Leila de Lima, CHR chair, stated, however, that even if that truly is Roxas in the video, the main issue is her abduction and torture and not her political affiliations.

Despite the Arroyo regime's attempts to discredit and silence her, Roxas remains steadfast in her decision to tell the truth and seek justice for herself and other victims of human rights violations.

Roxas also filed cases against Gloria Arroyo before the US State Department and the office of Prof. Manfred Nowak, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture.



http://www.philippinerevolution.net/cgi-bin/ab/text.pl?issue=20090807;lang=eng;article=10

Torture is torture. Torture is barbaric. Torture of anyone is human rights violation. Torture of an NPA commander, member, trainee or sympathizer is still a torture. Torture will not bring the truth. A person undergoing torture may admit to anything he or she being accused of.

On other hand pictures and video are excellent evidence. The photos and video clearly shows Melissa Roxas in an NPA Camp. One can conclude that she is undergoing training or that she is at least a sympathizer if not a member. She can deny many times but any unbiased observer will conclude that the person in the photos is one and the same.

Her abduction and torture is truly condemnable. However she does not have any hard evidence that it was the Philippine Military who did it. Maybe she truly believes they did. Given the past record of the Philippine Military there is a possibility they did it. But there is no evidence, no evidence at all. The rule of law and the principle of fairness dictate that anyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

With so many victims by the NPA, it is possible that she was abducted by militant civilian groups who armed themselves because they could not rely on the Philippine police and military to protect them. Although remote, Congressmen Alcover and Palparan theory could also be true. Who knows?

On other hand, by not telling the truth, the WHOLE TRUTH, and nothing but the truth, Ms Roxas credibility and the credibility of her sworn testimony have been put into question.

One thing that should be investigated further is the connection of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or BAYAN to the New People’s Army. According to Melissa Roxas’ affidavit she applied for exposure program in the Philippines with BAYAN – USA. Bayan-USA endorsed her to Bayan-National which in turn endorsed her to Bayan-Central Luzon which toured her around towns and provinces of Central Luzon. Later she was endorsed by Bayan-Central Luzon to Bayan-Tarlac. The video showed that she ended up in an NPA training camp in Aurora Province. How and why?

We need an impartial investigation - who are the real culprit in the abduction and what is Melissa Roxas doing in an NPA camp? What is the connection of BAYAN to the CPP-NPA-NDF? Remember the CPP and the NPA are lawless elements as far as the Philippine government is concerned. They are also declared by the US, the 27-member European Union, by Canada, Australia, etc as terrorists organizations.

Mga video ni Melissa Roxas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5yAwNOteww

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfoXWXjCaSI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMBMmxGknCw