AFP abuses give more reason to junk Anti-Terror Bill

by Anakpawis Party List Monday, Aug. 14, 2006 at 3:03 PM

NEWS RELEASE

August 14, 2006

More reason to junk Anti-Terror Bill:

AFP abuses, 'cedula campaign' in Central Luzon a sneak preview of what ATB could bring

The continuing breakdown of civil government in Central Luzon and the human rights abuses committed by Jovito Palparan's troops could be a sneak preview of what could happen if the Anti-Terror Bill is passed into law, detained Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran said today.



"The 'cedula campaign' being waged by Palparan's forces, and the illegal arrests, arbitrary detentions, tortures, military surveillance and harassment documented throughout Central Luzon gives us a chilling sneak preview of what the Anti-Terror Bill (ATB) could bring if it is passed as a law and enforced by the AFP," Beltran said.



"All these reported human rights abuses by the AFP in Central Luzon should give the Senate more reason to junk the Anti-Terror Bill. The ATB will only serve as a legal buffer for the military's perpetuation of civil, political, and human rights abuses against civilians and people they erroneously label as 'terrorists'," Beltran said.



"The ATB legitimizes all sorts of human rights violations, such as surveillance systems, prolonged periods of interrogations, and arrests based on flimsy evidence," Beltran said.



Earlier this morning, Bulacan folk affiliated with the urban poor organization KADAMAY and Anakpawis sought a dialogue with San Jose del Monte City Mayor Lito Sarmiento on the human rights violations committed by the AFP troops under Gen. Palparan's jurisdiction.



Beltran cited the cases of the AFP's harassment and psychological torture against KADAMAY-San Jose del Monte Bulacan (SJMB) chapter officers Celestina Nantes, Dennis Francisco, Ogie Rebusi, and Baby Rebusi last July 30, 2006. Soldiers reportedly from the 56th IB under the command of a certain Lt. Magallanes sent a message through Brgy. Capt. Danilo Rogelio, ordering Nantes to go to the 56th IB camp for questioning. The KADAMAY-SJMB have also reported increased military surveillance of their offices and homes.

More cases of harassment have been documented among the urban poor folk in Bulacan, such as the harassment and psychological torture against six (6) Pamahay 2000-SJDM members Eva Bugtong, Dolores, Deogracia, Edwin Reyes, Rudy Aquino, Benjie Oquinto, and Ronald Lauden. Similar to Nantes' case, the six were summoned to the barangay hall of Muzon, where elements of the 56th IBPA interogated them and ordered them to appear before Palparan's office on August 4. The six refused to go for fear of their lives.

Beltran was arrested without a warrant by CIDG elements while in Muzon, San Jose del Monte on February 25, 2006.

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Cong. Crispin Beltran is confined under police custody at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. Today is the 170th day of his arbitrary detention by the Arroyo administration.