STAR correspondent gets P1.3-million human rights compensation

BASCO, Batanes, Philippines — The lone claimant in this province for compensation and recognition as a victim of human rights violations during martial law received his compensation on Monday.

The STAR correspondent Jack Castaño III, who was accused of supporting communist rebels and spent more than a year in solitary confinement following his arrest on Oct. 4, 1972, received a check amounting to P1.3 million from the Human Rights Victims Claims Board.

“The torture which he underwent caused severe mental  and physical anguish that was not inherent or incidental to lawful sanctions,” the board said.

“There was a clear indication... the victim was subjected to specific methodical acts that led to the conclusion that the degree of pain and suffering inflicted upon him indeed reached the level of severity contemplated by the law,” it added.

Asked what he intends to do with his compensation, Castaño said he would ”probably sponsor more students to college.”