Army offers help to locate missing Cordillera activist

The Army yesterday said it would provide the necessary assistance to help locate missing Baguio activist James Balao, including the use of intelligence agents to determine his whereabouts.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Army spokesman, said they would also open their camps for inspection if the courts order them to do so.

“We would help and cooperate in the search for James Balao. If the court grants their petition for a writ of amparo, we would open our camps for inspection,” he said.

This, after members of Balao’s family, accompanied by representatives of the Commission on Human Rights and the human rights group Karapatan, failed to locate the missing Cordillera People’s Alliance founding member at a military detention center in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

During the visit, Brawner said CHR representatives were able to talk to detained Army officers Capt. Dante Langkit and 1Lt. Sonny Sarmiento, who confirmed that there were no civilian prisoners being held in the facility.

Balao, 47, was last seen last Sept. 17, prompting his family to seek the help of the courts.

Meanwhile, Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado challenged their critics to file charges in the proper tribunals if they have evidence to prove that soldiers are involved in cases of human rights abuses.

He said that instead of bringing the issues to the media or other forums, it would be best to address the issue by filing cases backed by evidence.

“The problem is that they keep on drum-beating the issues without filing charges,” he said.

Ibrado said trial by publicity is unfair for an organization that does not tolerate human rights violations or other infractions committed by its personnel.

“If they have complaints, then they should come to us so we can address their concerns. If they have concrete evidence, then they should file the proper charges in the proper courts,” he said.

The military has been accused of having a hand in the disappearance of activists and militant group leaders, including University of the Philippines students Sheryn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, and Jonas Burgos, son of the late freedom icon Jose “Joe” Burgos.