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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM

Forwarded Appeal 6 December 2001
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FA-13-2001: Fisherman tortured by police in Cebu

PHILIPPINES: denial of right to freedom from torture
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Dear Friends

We are forwarding you an appeal from the highly respected Task Force Deteinees of the Philippines, regarding the torture of a fisherman in Cebu by the police of that region. Please read the short account of the incident and take the action requested.

Urgent Appeals Desk
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URGENT ACTION

TITLE : Alfredo Bantecil Torture
VICTIM : Alfredo Bantecil, 26 yrs. old,
male, fisherman, married and a
resident of Sityo Day-as, Brgy.
Calomboyan, Sogod, Cebu,
Philippines
DATE OF INCIDENT: September 18, 2001
PLACE OF INCIDENT: Sityo Day-as, Brgy. Calomboyan,
Sogod, Cebu, Philippines
PERPETRATORS : PO1 Pedro Azarcon and PO1 Dandan
Villardar, both are members of the
Philippine National Police based
Sogod, Cebu, Philippines
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Account of the incident:

A fisherman was arrested and tortured by the members of the Philippine National Police last September 18, 2001 in Brgy. Calomboyan, Sogod, Cebu. The victim was suspected as a supporter of the New People's Army.

Alfredo Bantecil, the victim, had reportedly quarreled with his neighbor, Rosalio Dehito. Dehito had borrowed the victim's fishing gear but when the foresaid returned it, the borrowed gear was damaged. Bantecil got angry and had a heated argument with Dehito. Somehow, Simpling Dehito (Rosalio's wife) reported the incident to the police. But the latter told the authorities that Bantecil is a rebel supporter and owns a fragmentation grenade.

Two police officers, PO1 Pedro Azarcon and PO1 Dandan Villardar, immediately went to Alfredo Bantecil's house at about 7:00 p.m.

Bantecil said that he was standing outside their house and was putting to sleep his three year old son, when the police officers arrived. PO1 Azarcon then ordered him to put his son on the ground because they are
going to talk with him. As soon as he put Eury on the ground, he was immediately handcuffed by the policemen. The perpetrators then struck his face using the butt of an M-16 rifle. The officers then questioned him about his alleged involvement with the New People's Army. When he denied their allegations, one of them fired his weapon on the ground, aiming it near the victim's feet. When Marilou Bantecil, Alfredo's wife, tried to intervene the policemen threatened to kill her husband if she approached them. The policemen then proceeded to torture the victim (he was struck in the different parts of his body using the butt of the M-16 rifle every time he denied their allegations). Marilou claimed that Azarcon and Villardar fired their weapons in the air thirteen times causing panic among their neighbors.

The officers then dragged the victim to their car and brought him to the police station. During the interrogation, the police investigator found no
evidence to support the charges against the victim. Bantecil was immediately released and no charges were filed against him.

Bantecil alleged that Azarcon and Villardar were drunk during the incident.

Gaudioso Mahusay, the victim's father-in-law, claims that Bantecil's right eye looks like a rotten star apple. The victim had a hard time walking because his right toe had been hammered, by the perpetrators, using their rifles. As of this writing, the foresaid was not able to go fishing due to his bruises. Alfedo Bantecil asserted that he is not a member/supporter of
the New People's Army.

The latter feared that the suspects might harm him after the incident was exposed to the media.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Send letters,e-mails or fax

1. Expressing grave concern to the plight of Alfredo
Bantecil. Ask the government to ensure the safety of
the victim, his family and the witnesses.
2. Provide free medical assistance and psycho-social
rehabilitation to the victim.
3. Urge the government to investigate the atrocities
perpetrated by PO1 Pedro Azarcon and PO1 Dandan
Villardar, and place them under camp restriction
during the investigation.
4. Tell the Arroyo government to give human rights
trainings to policemen and soldiers, especially those
who are assigned in counter-insurgency operations in
the provinces.

SEND YOUR COMMUNICATION TO:

1. Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President, Republic of the Philippines
New Executive Bldg.
Malacanang Palace Compound
J.P. Laurel St.
San Miguel, Manila, Philippines
Cell # (+63) 919 898 4622
(+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: opnet@ops.gov.ph
Fax: (+63 2) 929 3968

2. Hon. Pablo Garcia
Governor, Province of Cebu
Provincial Capitol
Osmena Blvd., Cebu City, Philippines
Fax: (+63 32) 255 0642

3. Atty. Alejandro Alonso
Commission on Human Rights
Region VII
Rosal corner Llorente St.
Capitol Site, Cebu City, Philippines
Fax: (+63 32) 254 6921


Prepared by:

Rico Nunez
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
Central/Eastern Visayas Region
747 Pacubas Drive
Mambaling, Cebu City, Philippines
E-mail: walad_00_00@yahoo.com
Cell # (+63) 919 324 2666