Migrante urges gov't to raise claims of torture by OFWs
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/14/2008 9:55 PM
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An alliance of migrant groups on Friday belittled President Arroyo’s appeal to Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud to commute the sentence of three overseas Filipino on death row.
Migrante International chairperson Garry Martinez said Mrs. Arroyo should have instead raised the claims of the OFWs that they were subjected to torture to admit the crimes they did not commit.
"Asking for a commutation is tantamount to admitting that they are guilty of the crime. But the Gonzales brothers (Edison and Rolando) and (Eduardo) Arcilla vehemently insist on their innocence," said Martinez.
Martinez said the President's visit could have been an opportune time to officially express the Philippine government's concern with reports of torture being applied to OFWs charged with crimes.
"President Arroyo has shown her ignorance of the case and her insensitivity to the victims' demands. She should have at least appealed for a review of the cases to ensure that these OFWs may be innocent of the crimes charged against them given the reports of torture," Martinez said.
Martinez said this is not the first time their group received complaints of torture from OFWs.
He cited the case of Joselito Alejo, who was also sentenced to die by beheading in 2001. He was later found innocent after his case was reinvestigated due to the public outcry in the Philippines.
"Edison Gonzales, one of the three OFWs in death row in Saudi Arabia, has repeatedly told us through phone conversations that they were tortured relentlessly by Saudi authorities. For seven consecutive days, they were hogtied and blindfolded and were relentlessly beaten up during interrogations. Up to now, they insist that they did not kill fellow Filipinos Romeo Lumbang, Jeremias Bucud and Dante Rivero," said Martinez.
The Migrante head challenged the Philippine government to “formally take up the case of 11 OFWs to the Arabian Kingdom."
Data from Migrante revealed that six OFWs have already been executed in Saudi Arabia since 2001. They are Antonio Alvesa, Sergio Aldana, Miguel Fernandez, Wilfredo Bautista, Reynaldo Cortez and Jenifer Beduya.
"President Arroyo should act holistically and immediately. The clock is ticking. We don't want another Jennifer Beduya due to the blunder and criminal neglect of the present dispensation" said Martinez.
