Mug shots of Elenita Tacalan, 60. She’s currently detained at the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Jail in Dipolog City. (photo courtesy of Karapatan-Northern Mindanao)
In a phone interview, Father Cristopher Ablon of rights group Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, confirmed it was Estelita Tacalan whose mug shots were furnished to them by the local media.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The 60-year old organizer of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Anakpawis Party believed to be abducted by military agents since April 27 was reportedly found in Dipolog City Jail.
In a phone interview, Father Cristopher Ablon of rights group Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, confirmed it was Estelita Tacalan whose mug shots were furnished to them by the local media.
“We’re really happy that she’s found and alive,” Ablon told davaotoday.com. However, Ablon said that it took them more than 10 days to fear and worry for Tacalan, before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Cagayan de Oro City confirmed of “arresting” her for murder and destructive arson charges.
“We’ve been asking the CIDG, a number of times, about Tacalan, but they repeatedly denied it. Now that the calls to surface her have been mounting, they were cornered and forced to admit the arrest,” Ablon said.
He also thanked the media for helping them search on the whereabouts of the widowed mother of three.
“We condemn the authorities’ move against Tacalan. It’s a clear violation of human rights and even international humanitarian law,” Ablon said.
He added if there were cases filed against her, like any accused, she should be treated humanely, and that appropriate papers should be presented. He added that she should not be hidden from their families and relatives. (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com
