Family abducted, presented as rebel returnees in Samar

Family abducted, presented as rebel returnees in Samar

Artemio Labong and his son Jeffery were first abducted by the military; then his whole family was taken under duress and was presented as rebel returnees.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO 

Samar – Journalist Jebri Gil Silda is appealing to the public to join calls to have the Labong family released from military custody in Samar.

Silda is a researcher and anchor for the Lingganay Han Kamatuoran radio program in Tacloban, Leyte and contributing editor of Vista, the official student publication of the University of the Philippines–Tacloban. He was approached by the Labong family when barangay official Artemio Labong and his son Jeffrey, 21, were abducted by soldiers last March 5, 2012 in Brgy. Pagsang-on, Paranas, Samar.

(Facebook profile picture of Jebri Gil Sida / bulatlat.com)

In an earlier report by the Katungod-Sinirangang Bisayas (SB) Karapatan in Samar, it was said that the two were abducted by a group of soldiers from the 87th Infantry Battalion (87th IB). The group also said that before he was taken, Labong was interrogated and tortured in front of his 12-year-old daughter. Another person, a certain Roel, was also reportedly abducted in another incident.

“The family members of Artemio and Roel saw that those who have taken them were members of the Philippine Army. They were in full battle gear and in uniform. We condemn this act of abduction by the members of the 87th Infantry Battalion and demand the immediate release of the two victims,” the human rights group said.

The search

After the two were abducted by 20 to 30 armed men in military uniform, the family tried to search for them for a week, making the rounds of military camps. They went as far as Camp Lukban, General Headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division (8th ID) of the Philippine Army, which commands the 87th IB, in Brgy. Maulong, Catbalogan, Samar. But the military denied that they had the two in their custody.

Losing hope, Artemio’s family sought the help of the media and made an appeal through Silda’s program Lingganay Han Kamatuoran (LHK) last March 16. The military’s response was immediate..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/03/23/family-abducted-presented-as-rebel-returnees-in-samar/