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The military on Wednesday started its inquiry into
alleged violation of human rights of detained military officers
linked to a failed coup plot against President Gloria Arroyo in
February 2006.
Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano
has created a board of inquiry headed by the Inspector General, Lt.
Gen. Ferdinand Bocobo, to look into the allegation that the 28
plotters are being maltreated by their military custodians.
During a hearing by the House
Committee on Human Rights last week, the wives of the 28 officers
described the alleged ordeal of their spouses in the hands of
Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp
Aguinaldo, the military’s headquarters in Quezon City.
They sent a letter to Bocobo
complaining about six violations of the human rights of their
husbands, including what they said was the top one—denial of the
right to liberty.
The officers’ wives also
decried that their husbands had been abruptly transferred to Camp
Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal; denied medical attention; subjected to
solitary confinement; and even prohibited them to sing. They said
the transfer was a calculated move to deprive the detainees of easy
visitation by family and lawyers.
Maria Flor Querubin, wife of
accused Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, was present during a recent
hearing conducted by the Bocobo board, according to the Armed
Forces’ Public Information Chief, Ernesto Torres.
Torres said Yano had ordered the
board to hold the hearing and submit a report on it.
“We consider this [recent
hearing] as a good step toward hearing both sides and, from there,
we will know what needs to be adjusted if there is a need to make
some adjustments regarding the custody of the detainees,” he
added.
The officers’ wives also had
complained about the granting of emergency leaves to their husbands.
Majority of the 28 Marines and
Scout Rangers are detained at Camp Capinpin while some of them are
held at the intelligence-service compound in Camp Aguinaldo.
Also facing court martial like
Querubin are Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim of the Scout Rangers, held at
Camp Crame, the national police headquarters, and Maj. Gen. Renato
Miranda of the Marines, detained at the intelligence-service
compound.
--Jefferson Antiporda
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