BACKGROUND

On February 14th this year, a group of anarcho-punks from across the Philippines aged 15-25 were on a trip to Sagada, a well known hiking spot, to go walking. Police stopped the vehicle they were hitchhiking with and brutally arrested them without a warrant. Later, they were told of an attack by Maoist guerillas on a military outpost a few days before. When they denied involvement, they were subjected to further torture including suffocation, electrocution, simulated executions and drowning. The two youngest had to be released, but the 9 others have been charged with arson and murder.

The youths were all active in ecological campaigns and groups such as Food not Bombs, but there is no evidence of any connection with any Maoist organisations, or guerilla groups, or any evidence for the crime. Their arrest was illegal. They are being held under terrible conditions without even basic necessities or enough food in overcrowded cells.
International solidarity could make a huge difference to this case. You can say you are phoning/writing about the Sagada 11, mention their names, and that you would like to enquire about their welfare/you think the arrests were illegal/demand their immediate release, etc. Please remember that they are being accused of being part of Maoist guerilla actions so be careful what you associate them with anything politically.



QUICK CONTACT DETAILS

Filipino police: Gen. Arturo Lumibao: 0063 27264361

Jail:see address below, phone number: 0063 744222304

Filipino Embassy: 0207 9371600, Fax: 020 79372925, Email:  embassy@philemb.co.uk

Other important email addresses to send to:  rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph,  chiefacosta@edsamail.com.ph,  sechbp@infocom.com.ph,  drpvq@yahoo.com,  omb1@ombudsman.gov.ph,  ssyed@ohchr.org,  tb-petitions@ohchr.org,  scronin@ohchr.org . The full contact details are given after the sample letter but you can copy this email list to make mailing easier...


SAMPLE LETTER


I recently heard about a case involving eleven young
people arrested, tortured and falsely accused of a
terrorist attack in The Phillipines...

Names of those still in jail:
1. Rundren Berloize Lao (24) of Gerona, Tarlac.
2. Anderson Alonzo (18) of Calinan, Davao City
3. Aldoz Christian Manoza (18) of Sampaloc St.,
Santolan, Pasig City
4. Ron Pandino (20) of Barangay Mayatba, Siniloan,
Laguna
5. Jethro Villagracia (21) of Calinan, Davao City
6. Neil Russel Balajadia (25) of No. 026 Tawiran St.,
Santolan, Pasig City
7. Darwin Alagar (21) of Barangay Tipuso, Urdaneta
City, Pangasinan
8. Arvie Nunez (21) of Barangay Silangang Mayao,
Lucena City
9. Jefferson dela Rosa (20) of No. 211 A.M. De Leon
St., Santolan, Pasig City
All of them are presently detained in a jail in La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Name of minor victims released to their parent’s
custody:
1. Frencess Ann Bernal (15) of Calumpang, Marikina
City
2. Ray Lester Mendoza (16) of Blk. 157 Lot 32 San
Francisco St., Barangay Rizal, Makati City

Name of persons charged with torture: General Villamor
Bumanglag, provincial director of the Benguet
Provincial Police Office (BPPO); Police Superintendent
Brent Madjaco, head of the 1604th Police Provincial
Mobile Group (PPMG) and his men; and unidentified
military agents and Cafgu members

It has come to my attention that the 11 persons, who
were arrested and subsequently tortured by the police
and military men on 14 February 2006, have filed
another criminal charges before the Benguet
Prosecutor’s Office on June 28. In the new complaint,
the victims charged the police and military officials
for arbitrary arrest and detention. As you are aware,
the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in La Trinidad, Benguet
had already ruled on May 19 that the arrest of the 11
victims was illegal.

I am deeply concerned that the prosecutor’s office may
further delay in resolving this new complaint of
arbitrary arrest and detention. I am aware that prior
to the filing of this complaint, on March 31 the
victims had also filed for violation of Republic Act
7438 against the same respondents. No formal charges
have yet been filed against them in court. It is
reported that the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for
the Military and Other Law Enforcement Office have yet
to act on the recommendation made by the prosecutor’s
office. Only until the Ombudsman takes action to the
recommendation of the prosecutors the case will make
progress in court.

Also, the administrative case filed with the regional
office of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) is
also dragging at their office. The Commission has yet
to commence its summary hearing of the administrative
complaint that the victims also filed on July 20 and
21, despite a long hiatus between its original
complaint filed to them. The delay to resolve the case
on part of the Commission and Ombudsman is seriously
affecting this case. I am deeply concerned this
situation may prolong unless acted upon while the
victims remained in jail.

I am deeply concerned that charges of robbery with
homicide, which was re-filed by the policemen against
the 11 victims, after the court’s ruling that the 14
February 2006 arrest and detention of the victims was
illegal could be a mere rehash. I am extremely
disappointed that the victims’ allegations that the
confession and evidence taken from them by way of
torture, which the police used prosecuting them, have
not been acted upon. To my understanding, the
succeeding proceeding--filing of the case--should have
been subsequently declared as null and void as the
arrest have already been declared illegal. I therefore
urged the court, to consider these circumstances in
their future deliberation.

I urged your appropriate intervention to ensure that
the complaints the victims filed to the prosecutors’
office, ombudsman and the police commission are acted
upon promptly. I believed that you would completely
agree that promptness to resolve these cases is very
essential. Please also request the prosecutor’s office
in Benguet to consider dropping the charges of robbery
with homicide against the victims re-filed by the
police considering given the court’s ruling. If this
cannot be done, please request the court to consider
approving the victim’s petition for reinvestigation.
Reinvestigation is necessary in order that the
allegations of torture are dealt with accordingly.

Additionally, please request the concerned government
agencies, in particular the Philippine National Police
(PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to
considering dismantling the armed militias they are
utilizing--Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit
(CAFGU). The utilization of Cafgu had already resulted
to abuses. In this case, CAFGU members had been
accused of taking part in the illegal arrest and
detention. The government must send a strong message
against the use of this force.

I trust that you will take action on this case.


Yours sincerely,




FULL CONTACT DETAILS



1. Mr. Ronaldo V. Puno
Chairman
National Police Commission (Napolcom)
A. Francisco Gold Condominium II
EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St., Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Voice: +63 2 925 0330 / 31
Fax: +63 2 925 0332
Email:  rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph

2. Mrs. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta
Chief, Public Attorney Office (PAO)
DOJ Agencies Building,
NIA Road East Avenue
1104 Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel. No. +63 2 929 9010 / 9436
Fax No. +63 2 927 6810 / 926 2878
Email:  chiefacosta@edsamail.com.ph

3. Director General Oscar Calderon
Chief, Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2726 4361/4366/8763
Fax: +63 2724 8763

4. Atty. Jocelyn Castillo
Regional Director, Commission on Human Rights
Cordillera Administrative Region
3rd floor SSS Baguio Branch Bldg., Harrison Road
2600 Baguio City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 074 619 9088/ 074 619 9089

5. Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Secretary
Department of Justice
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
Email:  sechbp@infocom.com.ph

6. Ms. Purificacion Quisumbing
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Email:  drpvq@yahoo.com

7. Mr. Orlando Casimiro
Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and
Other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road
Diliman (1104) Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 926 9032
Fax: +63 2 926 7572
Email:  omb1@ombudsman.gov.ph

8. Professor Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Mr.Safir Syed
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 9179016 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE QUESTION OF TORTURE)
E-mail:  ssyed@ohchr.org,  tb-petitions@ohchr.org

9. Mr. Leandro Despouy
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Attn: Sonia Cronin
Room: 3-060
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9160
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR INDEPENDENCE JUDGES & LAWYERS)
E-mail:  scronin@ohchr.org