UPDATE (Philippines): Office of the Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices begins investigation into cases of torture, activists’ killings and concerns on witness protection 

[Re: UA-251-2005: Brutal torture of a 25-year-old man over mistaken identity in General Santos City, Mindanao; UP-156-2005: Unabated killing of activists; killing and threats against witnesses exposes the country’s defective witness protection programme
UP-158-2005: Two more activists killed, one of whom suffered twenty-two gunshot wounds; UP-160-2005: Armed men kill female activist in Bataan, Luzon; victim’s colleagues faces serious threat]
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UP-014-2006: PHILIPPINES: Office of the Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices begins investigation into cases of torture, activists’ killings and concerns on witness protection

PHILIPPINES: Human rights defenders; Extra-judicial killings; Witness protection; Torture; Rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is pleased to inform you that the Office of the Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices begins its investigations into three cases which involve the torture of Haron Abubakar Buisan (UA-251-2005); the unabated killing of activists; killing and threats against witnesses (UP-156-2005); the killing of activists Jose Manegdeg III and Albert Terredano (UP-158-2005); and Cathy Alcantara (UP-160-2005).

In a letter dated 10 January 2006 addressed to the AHRC, Mr Orlando Casimiro, deputy ombudsman, assured the AHRC that the Fact Finding Investigation Bureau of his office would conduct an appropriate fact finding investigation following their receipt of AHRC’s appeals requesting for their intervention.

While the AHRC welcomes this development, we retain some level of concern regarding the manner of usual investigations being conducted by the authorities. The AHRC has previously experienced that the investigations on activists’ killing have not reached conclusive findings and the recommendations were not seriously taken. (Please see our previous appeals: UP-75-2005; UP-70-2005). They have also not involved the families of the dead in the process of their investigation.

Additionally, there is also a need for the authorities to respond to the plight of torture victim Haron Abubakar Buisan with urgency. The Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices should be informed that Buisan has not been afforded adequate medical attention and rehabilitation while in detention. Even though the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in General Santos City has commenced its investigation, no further efforts were made to ensure his physical and mental recovery. (Please see: UP-007-2006). It was also learned that the injuries on Buisan’s face were still visible when he attended a court hearing on January 13.

Meanwhile, the concerned authorities must consider affording protection to potential witnesses in the cases of Jose Manegdeg III, Albert Terredano and Cathy Alcantara. The families of the dead must also be ensured of their protection while the investigation and prosecution of the cases are in process.

Please write a letter to the Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices to ensure that it will exhaust appropriate means in the conduct of their investigation into the cases mentioned above. There should be a performance pledge to ensure the promptness in completing the investigation; there should be conclusive findings to ensure an effective prosecution of the cases; and any recommendations must be taken seriously.

Finally, please urge the concerned authorities to ensure that torture victim Haron Abubakar Buisan is afforded with medical attention without delay. The policemen concerned in General Santos City must also be suspended from their duties once the investigation commences to ensure impartiality.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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