Aquino urged to enforce Anti-Torture Law

MANILA, Philippines - The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday called on the incoming Aquino administration to strictly enforce Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Law, amid continuing reports of torture and other inhuman treatment by state security forces.

The United Nations General Assembly has designated June 26 as international day in support of torture victims. The date is in reference to June 26, 1987 when the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into effect.

“Torture has not been stamped out, despite the enactment of a domestic anti-torture law and despite the Philippines being a signatory to the Convention Against Torture. The recent case of the illegal arrest and torture of the Morong 43 is a grim reminder of how far our country still has to go in terms of eradicating torture and other cruel and degrading treatment and punishment,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr., as the group commemorated World Anti-Torture Day.

The 43 health workers arrested by the military in Morong, Rizal have complained of torture during their detention by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Their allegations of human rights violations include being blindfolded and handcuffed for 36 hours, being subjected to continuous interrogation with death threats, being hit by their interrogators and, in some cases, being electrocuted.

The detainees also complained that they were not allowed to relieve themselves in private and that other people had to lower their underwear and wash their private parts in the presence of other people.

The military said the prolonged handcuff and blindfolds were “reasonable restraint.”

Despite the sworn testimonies of the detainees, no military official has so far been formally investigated by the Arroyo government.

In 2009, Filipino-American Melissa Roxas was also allegedly abducted, detained and tortured by suspected elements of the AFP in Tarlac.

Roxas recounted her traumatic experience before the Court of Appeals during a hearing for a writ of amparo. The CA, in its decision, agreed that Roxas was indeed abducted and tortured but stopped short of blaming the military for the incident. No one has been held accountable.

“Arroyo’s reign of terror and impunity is responsible for the continuing abductions and torture of activists. Not one of the perpetrators has ever been made to account, despite the passage of the domestic law against torture last November 2009,” Reyes said.

“Outgoing Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima hit the nail on the head when she cited the absence of any strong condemnation and action on the part of the chief executive as one reason why human rights abuses persisted,” he added.