'Morong 43' torture raps belied by ex-colleagues

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the “Morong 43” who surrendered to the government have urged their former comrades to abandon the armed rebellion, which they said is fighting for a futile cause.

In a press briefing Saturday, the rebel returnees also denied claims that they were tortured when they were arrested by authorities in 2010.

“They should think things over. They should leave the rebel movement because their struggle will lead to nowhere,” said Jenelyn Pizarro in Filipino.

Ellen Carandang, another member of the Morong 43, said they would only neglect their families if they stick with the rebel movement.

“For me, nothing will happen if we continue to stay in the mountains. We will only neglect our families. The NPA (New People’s Army) is fighting for a wrong cause,” she said.

The former rebels held the press conference in the headquarters of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal.

The press briefing was organized after other Morong 43 members filed charges of torture and robbery against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and various military and police officials.

The Morong 43 members, suspected to be NPA rebels, were arrested on Feb. 6, 2010 in Morong, Rizal for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

They claimed though that they were just rural health workers attending a medical symposium. The military alleged that they were holding a seminar on making bombs.

Militant groups have accused the military of fabricating evidence and using torture to obtain confessions from members of the group.

Five of the Morong 43, including Pizarro and Carandang, have admitted that they were rebels and have availed themselves of the government’s amnesty program. They are now staying in the 2nd ID headquarters due to supposed threats to their lives.

In December 2010, President Aquino ordered the dropping of charges against the Morong 43 after the Justice department declared that the procedures followed by the military in their arrest were questionable.

Charged along with Arroyo were former Armed Forces chief Victor Ibrado, former Army chief Delfin Bangit, Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia, Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Col. Joel Reyes, Superintendents Marion Balonglong and Allan Nobleza, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Capt. Jovilee Cabading, Vicente Lopez, and a certain Calaoagan, Bulaklak, and Idloy.

They were accused of stealing the Morong 43 members’ mobile phones, wallet, laptop, ATM and credit cards, digital camera, flash disk, earrings, clothes, an LCD projector, and P25,000 in cash.

The rebel returnees, however, denied that they were tortured, saying the military allowed them to start peaceful lives. “They (soldiers) are treating me well. My life now is different compared to the one that I used to have,” said Morong 43 member Valentino Paulino.

Carandang said they are ready to go to court to refute the claims of their former comrades. “We are ready to testify against them. We will tell the truth,” she said.

Maj. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, 2nd ID chief, said the case would allow them to clear the issue.