The illegal arrest and torture of four persons belonging to the indigenous people called the Dumagats is a case of military impunity being a double burden to a vulnerable group.

On November 29, 2009, Jun-jun Acleto, Roland Torres, Roland Corpuz, Lolit Agbayani, together with Edwin Buryo, all from Dingalan, Aurora, set out to hunt for nests of a bird named “Layang-layang” so as to obtain income for their family needs. While resting in Barangay Dikapinisan the following day, they were apprehended by soldiers and brought to the latter’s camp. There they were interrogated, threatened and tortured to admit that they were members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and that they knew of the whereabouts of hidden firearms. The Dumagats denied the military accusations. Later, Roland Corpuz, out of fear of being killed, said he was a NPA member and buried some firearms.

The preamble and 30 articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) were formulated in such way as to underscore the universality of our common humanity. Consequently, this new paradigm and preferred values of the international community were clear. The mother of all human rights instruments ensured that all relativism was avoided. The UDHR became acceptable for every religion, every philosophy and every culture. The universality of human rights was re-affirmed in the Vienna Declaration of 1996.

The victims and families of the despicable Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre have a right to redress. Bodies “bearing marks of despicable torture, contempt and outrageous torment” cry to the heavens for justice. The perpetrators of the gruesome murders, rape and other inhuman and cruel treatment must also be brought to justice. Proper charges must be made against them.