2 rights activists told: Cooperate

CEBU, Philippines —  Police have encouraged the two labor rights activists allegedly abducted by a group of men claiming to be members of state forces to show up and shed light on what happened.

The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has already created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) comprised of personnel from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Visayas (CIDG-7), Maritime Police, Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit 7, and the Philippine Coast Guard to expedite the investigation.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Perale, PRO-7 spokesperson, said they had already instructed the CCPO to coordinate with the victims.

"We need to get their side. They could give a blow-by-blow account of what happened so we could possibly identify the perpetrators and file charges. But right now, we understand that they are in a very traumatic state. So we would wait for them to come out and give their statements so that the investigation would move forward," said Perale.

Perale stated that SITG would focus on conducting a comprehensive investigation in the area of the incident, and the allegations of the inaction of the maritime and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during what happened would also be looked into.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, CCPO Information Officer, said they are still trying to reach out to the victims and their families.

Armand Jake Dayoha, 27, and his fiancée Dyan Gumanao, 28, were allegedly forced into a vehicle by unidentified men after they debarked a ship at Pier 6 on January 10.

Four days after they went missing, they were found outside a resort in Carmen town, Northern Cebu. They claimed their kidnappers left them in the area.

Dayoha is a volunteer for Alliance of Concerned Teachers, while Gumanao serves as a volunteer organizer for AMA Sugbu-KMU or Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Macatangay said they had already conducted an investigation even before the two resurfaced based on the initial complaints filed when they were still missing.

She assured them that if they show up their safety is the Philippine National Police's (PNP) responsibility.

We could possibly enroll in our witness protection program if ever they are dealing with influential suspects, said Macatangay.

Meanwhile, the Commission of Human Rights Central Visayas (CHR-7) stated that they had already conducted a motu proprio investigation concerning the alleged abduction.

A motu proprio investigation is an automatic investigation into incidents involving possible abuses and human rights violations.

However, the CHR-7 admitted that there would be a slight difficulty finding the perpetrators, stressing they were in civilian clothing.

They said they are also waiting for the victims and their families to come to their office and file complaints of human rights violations.

The agency urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to strengthen their anti-illegal activities and criminalities campaign. — FPL (FREEMAN)