The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called on authorities to take action on the alleged abduction of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Ariel Badiang in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on February 6
In a statement, the CHR said Badiang, 64 years old, was allegedly taken by soldiers.
“As we conduct a parallel independent probe, CHR calls for urgent action from the local police and other concerned agencies to uncover the full truth on this latest report of the alleged abduction of another NDFP consultant,” said the commission.
According to the CHR, its Region 10 office had deployed a Quick Response Operation to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, Police Region Office 10 public information office spokesperson Police Major Joann Navarro told GMA News Online there were no abductions reported on the said date.
“Based po sa record natin, walang nakatala na any information o report na merong nag-abduct o kidnapping na nangyari,” she said.
Navarro added that PRO10 asked the Bukidnon Police, 52nd Engineer Brigade, and 1st Special Forces Battalion if they received such information. They also denied receiving reports about the incident.
Navarro encouraged the family of Badiang to report the incident to the police so that authorities can take action and launch an investigation.
Asked for comment, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said the AFP promoted and protected human rights.
“The AFP respects human rights. It is part of our constitutional mandate. All we do at the AFP is in adherence to the promotion and protection of human rights which is translated into education, training, and policies,” he told GMA News Online.
“To strengthen its implementation, the AFP has established the AFP Human Rights Office, now the AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFP CLOAC),” he added. (GMA News)