Reds lauds SC for giving custody to Manalo brothers

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Saturday applauded the move of the Supreme Court (SC) granting the appeal of two peasant victims of abduction, illegal detention and torture to be placed under its protective custody.

The communist guerrilas also cited the high tribunal for ordering officials of the military and defense establishment to desist from arresting or harassing the two refugees.

In a resolution authored by Chief Justice Reynato Puno, the SC also scheduled an en banc meeting next week to tackle the request of brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo for the court to carry out a full-blown investigation into the ordeals they went through under military detention.

In their affidavits, the Manalos said they were able to escape last August 13 from a secret military prison in Pangasinan after 18 months of being subjected to brutal torture.

CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal described the SC's decision yesterday as an "outright indictment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its role and responsibility in the abduction, illegal detention and torture of the Manalo brothers, and the spate of extra-judicial killings, abductions and torture of hundreds more of activists and innocent civilians."

Rosal said "this landmark decision of the Supreme Court helps embolden further the people in their fight against the Arroyo regime's campaign of suppression."

While welcoming the steps taken by the Supreme Court, the CPP spokesperson expressed apprehension for the security of the Manalo brothers and their families.

"Efforts by people's organizations, human rights advocates and lawyers, church people, medical practicioners and as well as the international community to provide additional people's protection to the Manalo brothers as well as their families are urgently needed to prevent the military from getting to them," Rosal said.

"The Manalos' testimony would constitute what may be called as prima facie evidence to directly pin down former General Palparan for his fascist crimes against them and other specific victims, and his participation as one of the most rabid masterminds and implementors of the Arroyo regime's campaign of extrajudicial killings, abductions and other fascist acts."

In their affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the Manalos said they were subjected to extreme torture "to the point of death" by their military captors.

According to Raymond Manalo, General Palparan and Sergeant Hilario were either present in the torture sessions or directly took part in carrying out physical and psychological torture against them.