Arrest and torture of three youth (2 minors) in San Andres, Quezon

Urgent Action

Dear Friends,

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), writes to inform you about the arrest and alleged torture of three (3) job hunters suspected of being members of New People’s Army (NPA), in San Andres, Quezon on March 22,2012 at about 5:00 in the afternoon by alleged members of 74th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Air Force.

VICTIMs:

1. Elmer Ehorango Desoyo, 20 years old
2. Reynaldo De los Santos, 17 years old
3. Rey Rodrigo, 16 years old
________________________________________________________________________

CASE DETAILS:

According to Elmer Desoyo and Reynaldo Delos Santos, they were looking for a job together with Rey Rodrigo, and were on their way home at Sitio Tagbakan, San Andres, Quezon, when they met two (2) men in civilian clothes with high powered guns (armalite) who arrested them. The victims were blindfolded and their hands tied. They were instructed to lie down and crawl to the ground while they were being kick.

Elmer was hit with an armalite butt twice on his right side. He was also shot near the ear with a long firearm by one of the men. He tried to beg for their release but to no avail.

At around 7 PM, the military brought them to the camp at Sitio Malamig, Quezon. Inside the camp, still in blindfolds and half naked, they were interrogated by the perpetrators. They were asked if they were members of the NPA and if they were asked if they knew members of NPA. They were threatened to be killed if they will not mention any name. Elmer told them that he was even afraid of gun. According to Reynaldo, the military even began to drop names of alleged members of the NPA to them but could no longer recall the names mentioned due to fear.

The next day, the victims were brought to San Andres Police Station. It was only here did their assailants took their blindfolds off. Later, they brought to the fiscal for inquest and were charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms. This is the only time when the military informed their parents that they have been arrested. Elmer’s dad has even went to the camp earlier to look for them but they were not seen.

Elmer and Reynaldo are presently detained at Quezon Provincial Jail in Lucena. During the arrest, Reynaldo was only 17 but he turned 18 years old last May 2, 2012 in detention. Rey Rodrigo, the younger victim was turned over at the National Training Center for the Boys in Tanay, Rizal on April 30, 2012 according to the guards.

Action Requested

Please write to the authorities in the Philippines urging them to:
1. Call upon competent authorities to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the arrest and alleged torture of the victims Elmer Desoyo, Reynaldo Delos Santos and Rey Rodrigo and ensure that adequate, effective and prompt rehabilitation and assistance is granted to the victim’s family;

2. To strictly observe and comply with the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which recognizes and establishes protection of civilians not belonging to armed forces or armed groups. The military should ensure that civilians under the power of enemy forces must be treated humanely in all circumstances, without any adverse distinction. They must be protected against all forms of violence and degrading treatment;
3. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

Please send your letters to:

1. His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street , San Miguel
Manila 1005
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph /opnet@ops.gov.ph

2. Hon. Leila M. De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura Street
Ermita, Manila, 1000
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 523 9548
Tel: + 63 2 521 1908
Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph / doj.delima@gmail.com
3. Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense (DND)
Camp Gen. Emilio F. Aguinaldo
Quezon City 1110
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 982 5640
Tel: +63 2 982 5638
Email webmaster@dnd.gov.ph
4. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Fax: +63 2929 0102
Email: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com

5. Lieutenant General Jessie D Dellosa, AFP
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
DND Building, Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City 1110
Philippines
Tel: +63 2 911 6001 local 8414
Fax: +63 2 421 3531
Email: bacsecretariat@dnd.gov.ph

Documented by:

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
#45 St. Mary Street, Cubao
Quezon City 1109, Philippines
Tel: +63 2 437 8054
Fax: +63 2 911 3643
Emal: tfdp1974@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.tfdp.net

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