Torture victims fear for safety as lawyer builds up case against perpetrators

Three torture survivors fear for their safety following the torment they suffered from members of a paramilitary group in  Brgy. Demoloc in Malita, Davao Occidental.  Based on interviews and sworn statement gathered by Balay documenters, the victims – two of whom are minors -  were forced by an army sergeant and members of the Special CAFGU Auxiliary Force (SCAA) to admit that they conspired with each other to steal from a neighbourhood store last February 2016.

According to Orlando Engo, 52, a farmer, he had already sought the help of a human rights lawyer and the Commission on Human Rights in filing a case of torture against his tormentors but he fears that they might get back at him as he lives in the place where the paramilitary members are also assigned.

Orlando’s son, Jerome, 15,  said that they were also tortured by authorities to punish them for allegedly stealing from the store. Both were still reeling from psychological anguish when they were visited by Balay response team.

A report from the Commission on Human Rights has named the following person as among those who have allegedly participated in the torture incident: Caloy, Jerome Saniel, and Jaypee of the SCAA. 

The Balay medical consultant and case workers have provided psycho-social first aid to the victims. They have also conferred with a local church leader to monitor their safety and security as they coordinated with the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide rehabilitation services and attend to the special needs of the traumatized minors as well.

According to Orlando, three armed paramilitary took him from his house and made him walk to their detachment for around an hour to acknowledge the charges against him. During interrogation, his captors took turns hitting him with a large piece of wood while villagers milled around to watch.  He said that he ‘felt like dying’ from the pain each time the wood landed on his body. Not long after, other members of SCAA joined in punching him in different parts of his body. One of them pressed a wood onto his neck while another pointed a gun at him, he said.

Jerome was brought by SCAA members to their detachment as well where they met a certain Sgt. Batolbatol who, apparently, was the head of the paramilitary unit in that village. The authorities also hit him with wood, Jerome said.

Orlando said that his captors made him and the two minors to sit together as they poured ice-cold water over them. They  ordered them to hold ice bags by their arm pits as well, he added. He also said that someone also covered his  genitals with an ice bag and told him that they will make him eat the ice if it  falls down.  Then, his captors poured water over his  head  which they covered with his shirt  to suffocate him.

Their captors released Orlando and the minors only after they signed a piece of paper admitting the charges against them. His relatives brought him to a hospital to be examined. A medical doctor has confirmed that Orlando sustained injuries arising from this torment.