Abduction and alleged torture

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the Philippines.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights (KARAPATAN), a member of the OMCT SOS-Torture network, about the abduction and alleged torture of Mr. Renante Rumagos, 32-year-old farmer and resident of Purok 4, Brgy. Casoon, Monkayo in Compostela Valley, on 12 December 2007, by alleged elements of the Scout Rangers, in Purok 4.

According to the information received, on 12 December 2007, at around 7:00 am, Mr. Renante Rumagos was walking towards his farm to make charcoal and harvest bananas, when he was reportedly called by alleged members of the Scout Rangers who were concealing themselves in an elevated area. As Mr. Renante Rumagos approached, one of the soldiers reportedly blindfolded him and covered his mouth. He had also reportedly his hands tied up behind his back.

According to the same information, Mr. Renante Rumagos was then taken to an unknown place where he was reportedly wrapped with a plastic around his head. On the fourth day, he was reportedly stabbed and then thrown at an unknown location. Mr. Renante Rumagos managed to get up and found someone to help him. He was subsequently brought to the Davao Regional Hospital on 16 December 2007, where he is reportedly still undergoing treatment for the injuries sustained.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned about the abduction and alleged torture of Mr. Renante Rumagos by elements of the Scouts Rangers. OMCT calls on the authorities to order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of this abduction and alleged torture, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law.

Action requested

Please right to the authorities in the Philippines urging them to:

1. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Renante Rumagos;
2. Order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into these events, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
3. Guarantee that adequate reparation is granted to the victim;
4. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic, Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila Philippines, Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968, Email: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph- Jesus D. Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the Peace Process, 7th Floor Agustin Building I Emerald Avenue Pasig City 1605, Fax:+63 (2) 635 9579, Email: osec@opapp.gov.ph
• Department of National Defense, Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, E. de los Santos Avenue Quezon City Fax:+63(2) 911 6213 Email: osnd@philonline.com- Hon. Raul M. Gonzalez, Secretary, Department of Justice Padre Faura St., Manila, Fax: (+632) 521-1614 Email: sad@doj.gov.ph
• Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing, Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights SAAC Bldg., UP Complex, Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City Philippines, Fax: (+632) 929 0102Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph
• Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva, 47 Avenue Blanc, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 716 19 32, Email: mission.philippines@ties.itu.int
• Embassy of the Philippines in Brussels, 297 Avenue Moliere, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 2 340 33 77 / 2 340 33 78, Fax: +32 2 345 64 25.

Please also write to the embassies of the Philippines in your respective country.

Geneva, 19 December 2007

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.