PHILIPPINES: Police’ vehicle used in forcibly abducting a man in General Santos City

Dear friends,

The AHRC writes with deep concern regarding the forcible abduction and subsequent disappearance of a man, Arnold Aliman, in General Santos City on 27 May 2007. Witnesses have revealed that the vehicle used by the abductors, who were armed, has been traced to the local police Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). The whereabouts of the victim remain unknown and no credible investigation have been taken so far into the possible police’ involvement in the abduction.

CASE DETAILS:

According to various sources, including a local newspaper, the Sun Star, victim Arnold Aliman (a.k.a. Dodong), was driving his motorcycle at around 5:30pm along Pedro Acharon Boulevard in General Santos City, on his way home on 27 May 2007 when he was forcibly abducted. He was supposed to return home after sending his girlfriend off at Saging Street, Barangay (village) Dadiangas South, of the same city. The victim is a resident of the city’s Purok (a subsection of the village) Veterans Village.

While Aliman was stopped at an intersection, waiting for traffic light to turn green, a white pick-up vehicle stopped beside him. Three men from the vehicle alighted and forcibly dragged him inside their vehicle. When they were not able to subdue the victim due to his resistance, another three persons alighted and forced him inside. One of the abductors also took over the victim’s motorcycle, with license plate number IV 3878.

One of the witnesses recounted that as the incident was taking place, the police officers at a police outpost situated just few meters did not intervene, despite the victim’s loud cries for help. Passersby and bystanders likewise ignored his plea. It is also learned that some of those who witnessed the abduction were activists, but they were too frightened to intervene because the abductors are armed and they too had been facing serious threats on their lives. The place where the abduction took place is usually a crowded and busy street, but the abductors were allowed to escape without hindrance or pursuit.

Soon after the victim’s abduction, some of witnesses went to a local police station, Pendatun Police Station, and later to the General Santos City Police Office’ (GSCPO) headquarters in Camp Fermin G. Lira. Surprisingly, a witness recognized the vehicle used by the abductors parked beside one of the headquarters’ office, the Intelligence and Detective Management Section (IDMS), which was formerly Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

Even though the testimonies of the witnesses could have help in locating the victim and identifying the abductors, no credible investigation has so far been taken as to why the vehicle used in abducting the victims was found inside the police headquarters. What the head of the GSCPO, Senior Superintendent Vicente Bautista, has done so far is to order the relief of the chief of the IDMS, Senior Inspector Maximo Sebastian, from his post. It was at Sebastian’s office that the vehicle was parked. But, amazingly, no investigation has been conducted to compel him or his men to explain the matter. The police leadership has even refused to admit that the relief order was due to the incident.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The abduction and subsequent disappearance of Arnold Aliman took place prior to the abduction of a political activist, Gilbert Rey Cadino (a.k.a Jing) on June 6. Unlike Cardino, who was released two days later by his captors, Aliman’s family had difficulty locating him. For further details please see: UA-185-2007. There is also no existing mechanism in place as to how the authorities would assist and help disappeared victim’s families to locate their loved ones.

Prior to his abduction, Aliman had served his jail term at the General Santos City Reformatory Center (GSCRC) for nine years for kidnapping charges. He had just been released in July last year.

Aliman’s abduction followed to abduction and subsequent disappearance that have previously taken place in the city. The couple, Nelly Intice (45) and her husband Federico (52), and another companion have remained missing after they were believed to have been abducted in 25 October 2006. The couple is both political and human rights activists. They were last seen heading towards the city’s bus terminal on their way home to nearby Davao City. Please see for further details: UA-380-2006.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send letters to the authorities below requesting their effective intervention in locating the victim’s whereabouts. A credible investigation must also be conducted on the police’ possible involvement into the victim’s abduction. Please also request for an effective security and protection mechanism for the witnesses and the victim’s families without delay.

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