Ocampo, Palparan face off in CHR probe on ‘abduction’

MANILA, Philippines – The second public hearing of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the alleged abduction and torture of Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas yesterday appeared to have been overshadowed by the “face-off” of a militant congressman and two anti-communist congressmen.

This, as Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, and Reps. Jovito Palparan of Bantay and Pastor Alcover Jr. of ANAD engaged in a verbal tussle triggered by allegations against Ocampo as the likely “mastermind” of the abduction of activists.

“Pronouncing that I ‘orchestrated’ the abduction is a very sweeping statement… and that I remain to be a leader of the party (Communist Party of the Philippines) and therefore, could be responsible for all that (happened),” Ocampo said.  

“All these allegations (have) continuously been made publicly (against me), but they have no proof to show or support their allegations,” he said.

Ocampo said he was “absolutely” denying having any hand in the alleged abduction and torture of Roxas or having orchestrated such abductions.

He said he does not recall having met Roxas until she mentioned her participation in an International Solidarity Mission about three years ago.

But Ocampo refused to yield to the challenge of Palparan and Alcover to categorically denounce the CPP or at least the “atrocities” of the New People’s Army (NPA) to prove that the Bayan Muna congressman has severed his ties with the Left.

Alcover and Palparan said Ocampo’s refusal to condemn the CPP-NPA merely bolsters their analysis and assumption that he is still a leader of the communist movement in the country despite being elected as party-list congressman.

Meanwhile, a survivor of an alleged abduction and torture, who has filed a case against Palparan and other military officials before the Court of Appeals, joined the “fray” when he stood up, pointed a finger, and cursed at Palparan.

Raymond Manalo cut short Palparan’s reply to Ocampo’s reaction to his earlier statement by curtly reminding the retired general that he was among his alleged victims.

Manalo’s action prompted CHR chief Leila de Lima to conclude the session, but with a stern warning to the camp of Palparan and Alcover.

“Do not harass him (Manalo). Do not harm him, not in any way. Let us deal with him for interrupting this public hearing,” De Lima said.

Meanwhile, Roxas denied being the person in the photo and video presented by Alcover and Palparan before the media last July 25.

Roxas recalled that at least two of the six pictures were shown to her by one of her interrogators, whom she named as “RC.”

She believed that the photos were grabbed from the video showing her and other recruits in a supposed NPA training camp in Aurora in 2006.

While De Lima emphasized that Roxas’ affiliation is not the focal issue of the CHR probe, she said the allegation of Palparan and Alcover purportedly revealing the “true identity” of Roxas is being entertained by the CHR as “it hinges on the credibility of (Roxas).” –Katherine Adraneda, Philippine Star