Cops detain Baguio NGO official with no charges – human rights group

Arrest and detention (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

BAGUIO CITY — An officer of a disaster-relief and livelihood support organization was arrested and detained at a Baguio City police station on Thursday (Feb. 9), according to the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA).

The police has not provided details about the arrest of Sarah Abellon-Alikes, a member of the board of directors of the Regional Development Center-Kattinulong dagiti Umili ti Amianan (RDC-Kaduami).  She is under the custody of the Pacdal station of the Baguio City Police Office.

Alikes is the daughter of the late Anglican Bishop Richard Abellon, Sr.

In a text message, Senior Supt. Ramil Saculles, city police director, said BCPO has been coordinating with the Benguet Police Office and the Philippine Army regarding the arrest but he did not give any  details as to what charges Alikes was facing.

The Cordillera Police Office in Camp Dangwa has not received a complete report about Alikes, but it has assured the public she would be accorded due process, Chief Insp. Carolina Lacuata, Cordillera police information officer said.

On Wednesday (Feb. 8), Jacinto Faroden, a suspected communist rebel, was arrested in the Benguet capital, La Trinidad, for the 2015 ambush and death of a police officer in Mountain Province.  SFM