Palace vows to go after human rights violators

Malacañang on Monday vowed to go after those who will commit human rights violations under the Aquino administration. “Human rights violations are human rights violations regardless of who commits them and we will ensure that those who violate the other person’s human rights or right to due process will pay for it," Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said at a press briefing. Carandang said the Aquino administration will not tolerate human rights violations. “I think the public is aware and even international human rights groups will acknowledge that that is not the policy of this administration, there is no policy of violation of human rights even for people who are criminals," he said.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Torture incident Carandang made the statement because of the alleged torture committed by members of the Philippine Army against 39-year old Abdulkan Ajid Balinting, a suspected member of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. GMA News TV’s Balitanghali reported that Balinting was arrested by alleged military personnel in his house in Basilan on July 23. The soldiers allegedly brought the victim at an undisclosed place where they tortured him by pouring gasoline on his body and setting him on fire. The victim was released on July 27 after his family filed a writ of amparo before a court. Balinting is now being treated at a hospital in Basilan but he cannot talk yet due to the injuries he suffered. Carandang said the allegations should be scrutinized first before handing a judgment on the soldiers involved in the incident. “Let’s see what the allegations are, what kind of evidence there is against that and let’s follow the process. There will be a process to determine whether these allegations have basis or not," he said. He said they would allow the process to determine whether or not there is some basis to the allegations. “It’s easy to make allegations against our men in uniform and let’s wait for the process before we decide, before we make any judgments," Carandang said. Technical arrest In the same television report, Colonel Domingo Tutaan Jr., chief of the Armed Forces Human Rights Office, said an officer and three enlisted personnel were placed under technical arrest and now restricted to their quarters while the investigation is on going. “Nagsagawa na ng imbestigasyon. We have identified a couple of soldiers sa investigation. They have already been placed under technical arrest, restricted to quarters since nagsimula ang investigation last week pa," he said. Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz identified those being investigated as Cpt. Sherwin Guidangen, Sgt. Edgardo Santos, SSgt. Elmer Magdaraog and Sgt. George Awing. All are members of the Special Operations Task Force Basilan. At a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo later in the afternoon, Tutaan said the military will work for the early resolution of the case. "We would like to assure the public that the AFP is not tolerating any acts of human rights violation or torture by our personnel regardless of rank, designation or assignment," he said. "These soldiers involved in human rights violations shall face our general court martial and criminal court once investigation show that they have indeed violated human rights," Tutaan added. The Western Mindanao Command and First Infantry Division were tasked to conduct the investigation. - VVP, GMA News