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DOJ arrests suspect in mauling of barangay captain and tanods
June 5, 2003
DOJ Undersecretary Jose Calida effected today, with the assistance of NBI agents, the arrest of a suspect in the mauling of a barangay captain and tanods and believed to have connection in the killing of two human rights activist from Oriental Mindoro.
M. Sgt. Donald Caigas, member of 204th Infantry was immediately put under arrest in the presence of Phil. Army Chief of Staff, Provost Marshal his superiors, Col. Abella and Col. Roa who accompanied him at the Commander's Lounge in Fort Bonifacio where he was under custody by the AFP, Office of the Provost Marshal.
The suspect who was brought at the NBI in the company of Military Police turned pale after his arrest at Fort Bonifacio, He denied the accusation on his particpation in the mauling of the barangay officials and some residents Brgy. Tambong, Gloria, Orietal Mindoro, including the killing of the two members of human rights group. While at the bureau, he said he was on leave and stayed home in Navotas, Malabon, Metro Manila when the incident took place. Invoking the right to remain silent and to protect his rights, the suspect said he deliberately ignored several summons sent to him to appear before the DOJ Task Force at the headquarters of 204th Infantry in Mindoro and in Manila to shed light into the killing of the victims.
Records check by the warrant section of the NBI revealed the suspect has standing warrant of arrest for robbery issued by G.C. RTC Judge Jaime Salazar.
Based on the testimonies of nine survivor witnesses in the killing, last month the DOJ task force conducted inquiry of the said incident. Two (2) members of the 204th Infantry Brigade and known to be co-members of Caigas AFP unit, appeared before the task force at the DOJ. P. Faura. Their respective issued firearms had been requested for ballistic examinations by the NBI, including that of Caigas.
Earlier Party-list of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo asked for the investigation into the reported killing of Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy, known members of human rights group kARAPATAN on April 22, 2003 in Mindoro. The victims body bore gunshot wounds after they were abducted from four other members of their group by alleged military men in uniform. The two were found dead few days after the victims had investigated the mauling incident by alleged military men. Caigas was positively identified by witnesses to have participated in the said incident.
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