4 soldiers face court martial for alleged torture of Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines - Four Army soldiers, including a junior officer who were tagged in the alleged torture of a suspected Abu Sayyaf member in Sumisip, Basilan last week, face court martial proceedings.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said the four are Capt. Sherwin Guidangen, Sgt. Edgardo Santos, Ssg. Elmer Magdaraog and Sgt. George Awing. The four soldiers allegedly poured gasoline on the suspect, then lighted it, causing severe burns in many parts of his body.

Col. Alex Mariano, chief of the Special Operation Task Force-Basilan (SOTF-B) said the four soldiers have been confined to barracks at the SOFT-B headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan. He said the soldiers will face court martial proceedings.

The suspected Abu Sayyaf member was identified as Abdul Khan Ajid Balanting, who was arrested by members of the Army’s Scout Rangers Company in Tabiawan, Basilan last July 23.

Balanting was reportedly brought to the headquarters of the SOTF-B, where the supposed torture incident took place.

The suspected Abu Sayyaf member was then turned over to the local police before he was brought to a hospital.

Col. Domingo Tutaan Jr., chief of the Armed Forces Human Rights Office said there are indications that Balanting, who is now recovering in the hospital, experienced torture.

“The examination shows or indicated signs of torture and immediately after that an investigation was directed,” he said.

Tutaan said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. ordered the probe to determine whether soldiers were involved in the torture incident. He said the investigation also seeks to determine if the superiors of the four soldiers are liable.

“We have been directed to look into the aspect of command responsibility… The thing is these are included in the directive to determine command responsibility of all concerned commanders in all levels of command,” he said.  – With Roel Pareño