Town dads look into torture, harassment of barangay folks by soldiers
The Human Rights Committee of the Sangguniang Bayan of Calinog town last Friday heard the complaint of human rights violations raised by some residents allegedly committed by elements of the Philippine Army Scout Rangers in Brgy. Masaroy of this town.
Sangguniang Bayan member Roy Castor, chairman of the committee called for the hearing after receiving a complaint letter from the punong barangay of Brgy. Masaroy. Attached to the letter were affidavits of six alleged victims of torture, threats and harassment that happened on July 12, 2006.
Victims summoned by the committee attested to the torture, harassment and threats they suffered in the hands of army soldiers who conducted military operations in Masaroy on July 12, 2006.
Sangguniang Bayan member Roy Castor, chairman of the Human Rights Committee assured the complainants that the committee will immediately take steps so that such violations will not happen again.
Of seven named victims, four who are Masaroy residents attended the hearing, while two who come from nearby barangays failed to show up. The four are Loreto Duerme Sr., his sons Loreto Jr. and Narlo and neighbor Eddie Catipunan.
Masaroy punong barangay Romeo Diaz accompanied the complainants. Representatives of human rights group Panay Alliance-Karapatan attended the hearing.
Asked by the committee for comment, Samuel Torato of Panay Alliance said the Philippine Army should be compelled to observe proper conduct and not violate the rights of civilians in its conduct of military operations.
Loreto Duerme Jr. told the committee he was held by scout rangers along the trail from Sitio Cayuban, Masaroy to Masaroy proper after noon of July 12. Soldiers tied him to a tree, blindfolded and kicked, punched and threatened him while forcing him to admit to being a member of the New People's Army and to reveal where he was supposedly keeping a generator owned by the rebels. He said soldiers thrust a wooden stick against his stomach, waggled a piece of grass inside his nose and forced him to sing. At one point his head was wrapped in a plastic bag so he could not breath. While he was blindfolded, a rifle was cocked near him while he was being threatened.
"I thought I would be shot that day," he said. When the torture stopped, he and two other residents who were held and experienced torture earlier were made as guide of the soldiers in going to the road. They were released the following day. Duerme said soldiers warned him not to tell anyone of what happened, threatening to shoot him if they saw him again.
Last week, the Commission on Human Rights began investigation on the Masaroy incidents. CHR investigator Joemely Pagtanac took the statement of six victims, two of whom were youth named Ian Castor from Sitio Tina, Acuña, Tapaz, Capiz and Jimmy Chiva from Brgy. Wright, Tapaz. Another victim, Filomeno Billote did not personally appear in any of the investigations.
"The Sangguniang Bayan may come out with a resolution urging the Commission on Human Rights to speed up investigation of the complaint," said committee chairman Roy Castor.
Punong barangay Romeo Diaz said the erring soldiers should be penalized so that such offenses do not happen again. He only wanted justice for the suffering of his constituents.