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PNP asked to remove 6 Magdalo soldiers from wanted list


The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to remove six Navy personnel implicated in the July 2003 Oakwood Mutiny from its wanted list due to the absence of formal charges against them. A CHR statement identified the six as Cpl. Jerson D.L. Alabata, Pfc Abraham Apostol, Pfc Jojo A. Abando, Pfc. Hardy A. Glaraga, Pfc Jojit C. Soriano, and SN1 Gerardo B. Dedicatura. The commission said the inclusion of the six in the PNP’s wanted list “was done in the absence of the filing of formal charges… either in the civilian or military courts." CHR was acting on the referral by former Navy officer and now detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the leaders of the so-called Magdalo group that stormed the Oakwood Premiere Hotel (now Ascott) in Makati City to demand the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. A CHR investigation team reported that the six were not among the accused in the criminal cases involving the Oakwood Mutiny. “Although they were tried by court martial and convicted for their participation in the Oakwood Mutiny, they have already served their respective sentences and have been back on full active duty since May 18, 2005," the CHR said. It also noted that none of the six soldiers were charged or even tried for the November 2007 takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City, which was also led by Trillanes. CHR also noted that based on its investigation, the PNP Human Rights Office has only two criteria for someone to be included in its wanted list. These are: * If the person was already convicted and is at large, and * If the person has not yet been convicted but a case has already been filed in court but has not yet been arrested, or has been arrested but jumped bail. CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima said the inclusion of the six in wanted list is a “clear violation of their human rights, namely, the right from arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence and from unlawful attacks on their honor and reputation." “Unless the PNP has some other legal basis for holding the alleged Magdalo members in its wanted list, it is the urgent concern of the commission that said personnel be immediately removed from the list," De Lima said in a letter sent to PNP chief Director General Jesus. Verzosa. - GMANews.TV

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