The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Sunday, Oct. 9, it has started its own investigation into the hostage-taking incident at the Philippine National Police's (PNP) custodial center at Camp Crame, Quezon City where one of the three male detainees who attempted to escape held hostage former Senator Leila M. De Lima.
“CHR has already dispatched a Quick Response Operation from CHR NCR (National Capital Region) for a motu proprio (on its own initiative) investigation of the case in the interest of finding out the truth and possible accountabilities following this hostage incident and subsequent deaths in the PNP Custodial Center,” the CHR said in a statement.
It said that “three prisoners under police custody who allegedly tried to escape and held Senator De Lima as hostage also died in the incident.”
“They were later identified as Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr., all of whom were said to be members of Abu Sayyaf,” it also said.
“We note the swift action by the police personnel on duty in addressing the hostage situation and hopes for the recovery of duty personnel, PCpl Roger Agustin, and another wounded detainee, Jonathan Carpio,” it added.
While the PNP assured that De Lima is safe following the end of the hostage taking, the CHR expressed grave concerns over the incident.
The incident “puts into serious question the safety of Senator De Lima, as well as other detainees in the said detention facility,” CHR stressed.
De Lima has been detained since 2017 at the PNP’s custodial center after non-bailable illegal drugs charges were filed against her.
She was accused of involvement in illegal drugs trading at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City when she was the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ). She had denied all the accusations.
In a statement after the incident, the PNP said: “Senator de Lima is now safe while the police officer who was stabbed was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Three PUPCs (Persons Under PNP Custody) were all neutralized and SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operation) is now at the scene of the incident.”
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said there should be no repeat of the incident at the PNP custodial center and in all detention centers nationwide.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed Camp Crame to enforce all measures necessary to ensure that no act of violence in said facility and all other PNP detention centers shall happen again,” Office of the Press Secretary Undersecretary-Officer-in-Charge Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said.
RELATED TAGS: #100922 #BONGBONG MARCOS #HOSTAGE TAKING
#LEILA DE LIMA #PNP #PRESIDENT MARCOS