PNP assures activists: Arrested NPA leader not being tortured
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured activists that arrested New People’s Army (NPA) official Jaime “Ka Diego” Padilla is not being tortured while in detention.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac made the assurance during a briefing on Friday after groups led by Karapatan claimed that police officials allegedly moved Padilla to an undisclosed facility — hinting the possibility of torture.
“Nais po nating pabulaanan ang mga alegasyon at paratang tungkol kay Mr. Jaime Padilla na nahuli nga sa bisa ng warrant of arrest. Wala pong katotohanan ang gano’ng mga alegasyon,” Banac clarified.
“Ang lahat po ng procedure ay ‘yong mga normal procedures lamang ng isang arestadong suspect na sumasailalim sa imbestigasyon,” he added.
Just recently, both Karapatan and Padilla’s lawyer Kristina Conti said that they will hold National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas accountable for anything that may happen to Padilla who is now 72 years old.
The National Democratic Front also urged the PNP to respect the law, as the torture of arrested individuals and detention in secret facilities is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution.
Sinas allegedly confirmed the transfer of Padilla from the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to the NCRPO.
Padilla was arrested last Monday inside the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where the rebel leader is being confined for hypertension. Sinas said they arrested Padilla as he was allowed by his attending physician to leave the hospital — contrary to claims by activists that the suspect was frail.
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Banac said they will present Padilla before the court so that the trial against him would start. The latter is facing four counts of murder before the Regional Trial Court Branch 46 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro — the same court that issued the arrest order.
“Sa lalong madaling panahon, siya po ay ipe-presenta sa ating korte para masimulan at gumulong ang kanyang kaso, at mabigyan ng hustisya ang lahat ng mga naging biktima ng krimen na isinampa sa kanya,” the PNP spokesperson said.
“So wala po dapat ipangamba ang ating mga mamamayan na ang PNP po ay nanatili na tumatalima sa lahat ng mga established procedure at iginagalang po natin ang karapatan ng lahat ng mga arestadong suspect so wala po dapat ikabahala,” he added.
