House probe on Melissa Roxas case sought

MANILA, Philippines – An investigation looms at the House of Representatives into the military’s alleged abduction and torture of Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas. Nine militant lawmakers filed House Resolution No. 1627 on Monday, the day Roxas is set to arrive from the United States to pursue her Writ of Amparo case at the Court of Appeals. The measure’s authors include party-list lawmakers Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, and Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna); Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan (Gabriela); Rafael Mariano and Joel Maglunsod (Anakpawis); Raymond Palatino (Kabataan); and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III. Tañada chairs the House human rights committee, which would handle the House inquiry. In her affidavit, Roxas claimed she and her two companions, Edward Jandoc and Juanito Carabeo, were abducted by suspected members of the Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division in La Paz, Tarlac last May 19. She said they were taken to a military camp presumed to be the Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province. Roxas said her abductors had accused her of being a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and was repeatedly interrogated and beaten up. Although she was released on May 25, she was warned by her captors not to talk about her experience. On May 28, she filed her petition for issuance of a Writ of Amparo before the Supreme Court. The high tribunal referred her case to the appellate court. On the first week of June, however, Roxas flew to the US citing threats to her life. The writ is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission. Last June 29, the CA said Roxas needs to personally appear at court proceedings on her Amparo plea, otherwise the case would be archived. The military had since denied Roxas’ claims, saying that her allegations might even be fabricated to discredit the military. - GMANews.TV