COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/26 Sept) – The Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion has denied allegations by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that soldiers tortured a suspected bomber arrested in Pikit, North Cotabato last week.
“We assure the public that subject suspect bomber was not tortured,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Hao, 7IB commanding officer, referring to suspect Daud Ali Rahim, a.k.a. Commander Daud Sarip Milo, who was arrested at Barangay Batulawan in Pikit last Thursday.
The MILF claimed that Rahim is “a tricycle driver, a father, and resident of Pikit.” The rebel group further claimed that he was arrested “by virtue of an arrest warrant served without due process.” The MILF further said that Daud is not the person that is the subject of the arrest warrant.
But Hao said the suspected bomber has an existing arrest warrant. He was also holding two different identification cards when arrested by authorities. He did not resist the arrest.
An 81mm mortar ammunition was also found by authorities hidden in the sidecar of his tricycle during the arrest.
of 7IB. “In coordination with the PNP, he was brought to the hospital for medico-legal purpose after he was turned over to Municipal Police Station in Pikit town.”
, www.luwaran.com on Sept. 23 certain Daud Ali Rahim, a.k.a. Commander Daud Sarip Milo, who was arrested on Sept. 22 at Barangay Batulawan, Pikit Cotabato has manhandled in the hands of the arresting troops.
The suspected bomber has an existing warrant of arrest.
Rahim, who is said to be a tricycle driver, was holding two different identification cards when arrested by authorities.He did not resist the arrest.
An 81mm mortar ammunition was also found by the authorities during the conduct arrest hidden in the sidecar of his tricycle.
The suspected bomber was initially brought to 602Bde in Carmen, Cotabato for custodial debriefing and was transferred to the Municipal Police Station in Pikit last friday.
The tricycle, where the 81mm mortar ammunition was recovered, was impounded at the headquarters of the 7IB in Barangay Ladtingan, Pikit for safekeeping.
According to PInsp. Joan Resurrection of MPS-Pikit, the result of the hospital check-up came up with negative sign of any torture.
The 7IB is open for any investigation.
“The important lesson here is that we have again helped in capturing those perpetrating bombings in Central Mindanao. “We will continue to look for bombers,” Hao added.
The 7th IB commanding officer said, his unit is not in anyway affected to the propaganda published by www.luwaran.com and will not hinder them to continue their job. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/ MindaNews)