2 former officals of gov’t workers group Courage arrested

A couple who used to lead a government workers’ group were arrested on Saturday night by soldiers and policemen in Bulacan province.

However, their lawyer, Kristina Conti, claimed that what happened was an “abduction.” She said Oliver and Rowena Rosales were taken by a group of men who did not identify themselves.

The Rosales couple, who used to be with the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) national office, are currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Crame.

Conti told the Inquirer that the Rosaleses were on their way home in a tricycle after selling their wares at the Balagtas public market in Bulacan when they were “grabbed” by a group of five men.

She said the group which handcuffed and blindfolded the couple before dragging them into a car was later identified as being composed of plainclothes military and police personnel.

Conti claimed that it was only when the couple were taken to Camp Crame that they were told there was a warrant for their arrest.

The Rosales family also only found out that the couple were in Camp Crame by asking the Balagtas police which the CIDG had earlier coordinated with.