Watchdog scores ISAFP over Roldan appearance

An anti-crime group demanded an apology yesterday from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) for making actor and former Quezon City Congressman Dennis Roldan, a prime suspect in the kidnapping of a three-year-old boy, their guest speaker during their traditional flag-raising ceremony.

“Inviting him (Roldan) to an official government function is in extremely bad taste and sickening. We demand a public apology for the ISAFP’s improper action,” said Teresita Ang-See, chairwoman of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order and concurrent spokesperson of the Citizen’s Action Against Crime and Corruption.

“It is a big blow to us anti-crime advocates and even more to the victims of kidnapping who have been traumatized by their ordeal,” she added.

See claimed the anti-crime groups were appalled to hear the news that Roldan (Michell Gumabao in real life) was invited to grace ISAFP flag-raising rites last Dec. 3.

“We are strongly against ISAFP’s insensitivity to (kidnap) victims’ ordeal. No amount of protestation on Roldan’s part can clear him of the crime of kidnap for ransom. We know and he knows most of all that he is guilty,” See said.

See emphasized that the family of the kidnap victim, Kenshi Yu, was also shocked that Roldan even led a prayer during the flag-raising rites.

Roldan and his six co-accused allegedly kidnapped Yu in Pasig City two years ago. Law enforcers rescued the boy 20 days later and Roldan and his companions were collared in succeeding operations.

Roldan and his girlfriend, Suzette Wang, and six other respondents are being tried for kidnapping before the Pasig City Regional trial Court.

During the said flag-raising ceremony, Roldan led a short prayer before addressing the 100 ISAFP personnel who gathered in their compound.

“After leading a prayer, he spoke in front of the personnel and he explained that he was innocent in the kidnapping case against him,” a source said, noting that several ISAFP agents were demoralized with Roldan’s presence.

Roldan even told the ISAFP personnel that the policemen were wrong in arresting him as he was not involved in the kidnapping of Yu last Feb. 9, 2005 in Pasig City.

Meanwhile, lawyer Orlando Salatandre Jr., Roldan’s counsel, called on his client’s critics to avoid passing judgment because his client has yet to be convicted of a crime.

Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon, AFP Deputy Chief for Intelligence (J2) has ordered the investigation into Roldan’s presence at the ISAFP.

Calderon also directed ISAFP Chief Brig. Gen. Arsenio Arugay to explain why Roldan, who is still on trial, was allowed to speak before his men.