AFP defends arrest of two UP graduates

By: Bong Lozada - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces chief has defended the joint military-police operation that led to the arrest of two University of the Philippines graduates, saying that it was a legitimate law enforcement work.

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang. INQUIRER.net file photo

General Gregorio Pio Catapang said Monday that UP graduates Gerald Salonga and Guiller Cadano were arrested when combined forces from 3rd Infantry Battalion from the 7th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police Crime Investigation and Detention Group searched for Ely Taray.

Catapang said that the original mission was to arrest Taray, though, the joint forces could not find him, instead, found the two UP graduates who were allegedly in possession of illegal firearms and explosives.

“It was a legitimate operation, the team had a search warrant and arrest warrant,” Catapang said. “They went to the house of Taray, but they could not find him, they found the two though.”

Joint military and police forces arrested the two in Barangay (village) TL Padilla, Carranglan town, Nueva Ecija Saturday night.

On Sunday Karapatan human rights group head Cecile Ruiz said Salonga and Cadano were kidnapped and the group accused the military of planting the evidence.

“The two were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives,” Ruiz said. “The explosives charge was added in order to disqualify them from posting bail because it’s a non-bailable offense.”

Soldiers retrieved two 9mm pistols, two hand grenades, ammunition and subversive documents.

Catapang said the Karapatan claims have no basis and that the joint forces of the AFP and the PNP were rooted in humanitarian principles.

“As we celebrate the International Humanitarian Law we emphasize that we have to respect the rule of law, on violation of human rights and international humanitarian law,” Catapang said.

AFP spokesman Major General Domingo Tutaan said the joint forces were hunting down Taray as he is wanted for frustrated murder.

He added that Salonga and Cadano were arrested as they could not provide the papers for the firearms.

“I think records will show there were no human rights violation and we did it based on the rule of law and it was a legitimate operation,” Catapang said.