I pity them, they were forced to admit they abducted me – Principe

Press Release
By DESAPARECIDOS
March 29, 2008

MANILA, Philippines  –  “The officers presented in this court are not my abductors,” National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ consultant Elizabeth Principe said to the 8th Special Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) for yesterday’s hearing of the Writ of Amparo filed for her and missing husband, and also an NDFP consultant Leo Velasco.

“Actually, I pity them because I know they were forced to admit something they were not involved of,” Principe continues.

Contradicting the statement made by Police Supt. Aunorio Agnila, SPO4 Cecilla Garcia, SPO2 Andy Palmiano and Major Edward Gomez of the Intelligence Service Group of the AFP, who claimed the arrest, Principe says that burly, muscular and lean men forced her inside a van on the day of November 28, 2007 after having her medical examination at P. Tuazon St., Cubao. She described her abductors as well built men, muscular and had no belly which does not fit to the characteristics of Agnila, Palmiano and Gomez. Principe even told the court that no policewoman was present in her alleged abduction.

Principe further tells the court that she was immediately blindfolded and handcuffed when pushed inside the van. She said that her abductors were going to cover her mouth when she started to ask questions like “Why are you abducting me?” and “Why are you doing this?” Principe said she bargained not to cover her mouth and she will stop questioning her abductors.

Principe said she was handcuffed and blindfolded for three straight days with loud music plugged in her ears which caused her severe headaches. She said she tried to put the earplugs away at one time but her guard tightened her blindfold that caused more pain to her head. She admitted to the court that during the time she was incommunicado she never answered interrogations because she wanted to have her lawyer present.

“Policewomen tried to hide my bruises on my wrist by holding them when I was presented in a press conference on December 01, 2007. And after the presscon, a man whispered to my ear while I’m blindfolded that “Makalaya ka o makatakas ka, patatayin kita” (I will kill you whether you go escape here or go free),” Principe narrates further.

Surprised by these statements, Justice Jose L. Sabio orders the court to summon the four who claimed to be Principe’s arresting officers to confront the allegations that they lied under oath. They expected to be in the next hearing scheduled in the morning of April 8, 2008.

“The AFP is trying to conceal the real identity of the perpetrators. They use fall-guys so that their operators in the field will not be revealed,” Principe said after the hearing.

Meanwhile, a support picket was held in front of the Court of Appeals in protest against the continuing detention of Ms. Elizabeth Principe and disappearance of her husband Leo Velasco. Organizations like Desaparecidos, SELDA and Hustisya came with posters saying ‘FREE ELIZABETH PRINCIPE AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS’ and “SURFACE LEO VELASCO AND ALL VICTIMS OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES.”

Taripnong and Lakbay Cagayan Valley, organizations advocating for the genuine development for Cagayan Valley also came in support for Principe. Beth was currently a medical health worker in Cagayan Valley before her arrest. These organizations freed two doves in front of the CA as a call to free this couple and all victims of political persecution and enforced disappearances.

Reference: Lorena Santos (0918-6615099/4342837)