|
Arrested Abu Sayyaf Members Maltreated By Army
MANILA, July 27 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Philippine military and police authorities Thursday arrested 16 persons suspected to have links with the Abu Sayyaf in separate raids in Basilan and Zamboanga City.
Those arrested claimed police and military officers violated their rights, abused them and mistreated them while in custody. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) confirmed the allegations.
All the arrested alleged Abu Sayyaf supporters denied being connected with the bandits, who are still holding two Americans and dozens of Filipino hostages in Basilan.
The military command, however, said a thorough check on their individual background, or links with the bandits, had first been established before they were arrested.
The crackdown in Lamitan also helped the army confiscate nine high-powered firearms, including M-15s, Carbine and Garand rifles, and a .45 caliber pistol, from the suspects.
Later Thursday afternoon, police and soldiers in Zamboanga City and Sulu picked up alleged followers of Ghalib "Commander Robot" Andang. They are suspected of participation in the abduction of 21 mostly foreign nationals from Sipadan Island in Malaysia last year.
The continued crackdown of those suspected to have links with the Abu Sayyaf may enrage people in both Jolo and Basilan after revelations by the CHR that most of the suspects arrested earlier had been maltreated by both the military and police.
Showing pictures of the maltreated suspects, CHR Regional Director for Western Mindanao, lawyer Manuel Mamaoag, said based on the investigation of his office, some of those arrested alleged Abu Sayyaf supporters are suffering from either cigarette or hot water burns, and/or blows.
Mamaoag said the burns and contusions sustained in different parts of their bodies clearly indicated they were indeed tortured by the military and police during tactical interrogations conducted after arrest.
"Pictures don't lie. The military and police cannot deny this fact that they have maltreated the arrested alleged Abu Sayyaf supporters, and the fact that they have committed human rights violations," Mamaoag said.
He added that a detailed report on alleged human rights violations committed by the army and police in the crackdown ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been submitted to Malacañang, the presidential palace.
Meanwhile, in another surprise attack in Jolo Friday, the army flushed a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf where they recovered anti-tank ammunition. About 100 bandits fled but there were no casualties on either side.
The military stated they positively pinpointed the camp's exact location and soldiers mounted an assault that triggered sporadic fighting in the area until the bandits were flushed out.
The camp was "well fortified" with at least 60 bunkers and running trenches.
Arroyo this month launched a massive crackdown against the Abu Sayyaf to end a two-month hostage crisis involving an American couple and 19 Filipinos on nearby Basilan Island.
Arroyo gave the military power to detain suspected Abu Sayyaf members and their supporters in Basilan, Jolo and Zamboanga City.
|
