Bayhon to rule on rebel raps vs. youngsters

by: DEMS DEMECILLO

Provincial Fiscal Elizabeth B. Bayhon wrapped up on Monday the preliminary investigation of the rebellion charges filed by the 79th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Erwin Bernard Neri against two university students and a nurse but she is not expected to issue a ruling very soon.

“This is a high profile case and I intend to study carefully the statements as reflected in the transcripts and evidence presented by all the parties involved,” stressed Bayhon.

During the preliminary investigation, the military represented by 1st Lt. Ramon Salvador denies interrogating the three arrested suspects identified as Glenn Absin, 22, a political science student of the University of Cebu; Karlo Cabahug, 22, of the University of San Carlos and a resident of Talamban, Cebu and Maria Carla Alvarico, 22, a registered nurse after the October 18 armed encounter between soldiers and rebels in Sitio Pulangyuta, Mayabon, Zamboanguita. Their lawyers and families are optimistic that the prosecutor will dismiss the charges.

Salvador claimed they merely asked if they are companions of Jun Peteros, who allegedly shot one of the soldiers, when their group were accosted. The arrested suspects were also informed of their constitutional rights.

Karapatan Central Visayas spokesperson Vimarie Arcilla alleges that the military manhandled the two young men and made them walk with hands tied from the clash site to the town police station. Counsels of the suspects refused to submit their clients for questioning even by Fiscal Bayhon and also turned down the request of the Zamboanguita PNP that the suspects be transferred to the Negros Oriental Provincial Command Office in Agan-an, Sibulan where it is more accessible and secured.

Some observers note that while the young suspects were tightlipped, stoic and appeared disoriented during the investigation, Absin raised a clenched fist in a dramatic show of defiance with their sympathizers while already outside the Hall of Justice.