State forces on Sunday denied arresting the 2 University of the Philippines (UP) alumni who have been reported to have been lacking since April.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar mentioned the lacking indigenous peoples’ (IP) rights activists Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan should not in navy custody.
“Wala sa custody ng navy though we have now but to answer the writ of habeas corpus ng korte however we don’t have in our possession ‘yung hinahanap na dalawa,” Aguilar told reporters in an interview.
(We have yet to respond to the writ of habeas corpus but the missing individuals are not in our custody.)
Last week, the Court of Appeals (CA) granted a writ of habeas corpus filed by the family and relatives of de Jesus and Capuyan, ordering the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to produce them.
The CA ordered the respondent officials of the PNP to produce the activists “if found in their custody” before the appellate court on July 14, Friday and to show cause why they should remain in their custody.
Among the respondents were AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino, PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., Rizal Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Dominic Baccay, and PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Chief Police Brigadier General Romeo Caramat.
Asked if they will appear before the court to deny the arrest of Capuyan and De Jesus, Aguilar said: “Yes. Wala naman tayong ibang pwedeng magawa kasi sa ngayon, and that’s why we have now to exert effort afterward to search for him.”
(Yes. We haven’t got a lot alternative proper now and that’s why we have now to exert effort afterward to search for him.)
Likewise, the Philippine National Police (PNP) categorically denied apprehending the UP alumni. They additionally mentioned they exerted efforts to find the lacking individuals however they’re nonetheless listed as lacking individuals and topic to follow-up searches.
“Records would also show that there were certifications issued by various units of the PNP stating that Capuyan and De Jesus are not within their custody,” mentioned the PNP.
“They are neither among the list of Persons Under Police Custody nor can they be found within any PNP facilities,” it added.
The police mentioned they are going to file their return of the writ on Tuesday, July 18.
UP final month expressed “grave concern” over the disappearance of 4 activists together with De Jesus and Capuyan, urging the federal government to make sure their security and uphold their constitutional rights. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
