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Most of them are innocent
Of the over 400 prisoners in Camp Bagong Diwa, 129 are suspected Abu Sayyaf members. Seventy-three (73) of the 129 detainees are innocent and were illegally arrested in Basilan in 2001 when Pres. Gloria Arroyo declared a "state of lawlessness" in the area.
On July 26, 2001, the Commission on Human Rights released a memorandum stating that the 73 detainees were civilians and their arrest illegal. The results of a Congressional and Senate investigation also averred the illegality of their arrest. The "Basilan 73", however, are still in prison.
The military has cited ludicrous bases for arresting the "Basilan 73". In some instances, persons were arrested merely because they had nearly identical names with known Abu Sayyaf members. For example, the innocent Abdulla Yusuf was apprehended because the military claimed that he was Abdula Mulong, an alleged Abu Sayyaf element.
Since then, many more have been added to the "Basilan 73," including a number of minors. One of them lost his mind after being tortured by the military.
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 07 April 2005
English Edition
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Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and standpoint on current issues.
AB comes out fortnightly. It is published originally in Pilipino and translated into Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.
Acrobat PDF files of AB are available online for downloading and offline reading printing. If you wish to receive copies of AB via email, click here. |
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