Police and Military Torturers must be relieved from their posts and be punished under RA 9745

Military and police personnel involved in the recent series of torture cases must be immediately relieved from their posts and be prosecuted under RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

The cell phone video footage shown in the ABS-CBN news about a snatcher allegedly being tortured by a community precinct commander named as Captain Binayug in a police station located in Asuncion, Tondo, Manila and the torture of 5 suspected rebels Lenin Salas, Rodwin Tala, Jose Gomez, Daniel Navarro and Jerry Simbulan in San Fernando Pampanga by Supt. Madzgani Mukaram, commander of the police’s provincial public safety company are clear proof of the continuous violations of the right of any person not to be tortured despite RA 9745.

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is completely outraged by the indiscriminate and nonstop use of torture and calls on the government to relieve all who are involved. Such is an appropriate sanction that must be accorded to these “criminals in uniform” and to avoid any interference by any of the accused to muddle the cases.

In another torture case, policemen SPO2 Argie Miraflores (detailed at Regional Intelligence & Detective Mgt. Division, Region XII) and SPO1 Israel Lantingan (detailed at Municipal Police station of Alabel, Sarangani Province) pressure torture victim, Anuar Hasim, to sign an Affidavit of Desistance without the assistance of his counsel and prior consultation with the victim and his family. This interference tried to frustrate the victim’s quest for justice.

These series of torture incidents also call for the speedy drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Torture Act so as to give justice to victims of this inhuman act immediately and end impunity in human rights violations. It is imperative upon the Commission on Human Rights to fast track the drafting of the IRR in the face of continuing assaults on the dignity of persons such as these recent cases of torture.

Let us remind and instill in the hearts and minds of our security forces that torture at all times is not allowed. The use of this inhuman act has no place in a civilized society. P-Noy should act on this by issuing a policy statement against torture and by making accountable not only corrupt officials but also torturers and other perpetrators of human rights violations. Sa “Matuwid na daan”, KARAPATANG PANTAO AY DAPAT IGALANG.

Emmanuel Amistad
Executive Director
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)