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RepublicofthePhilippines DepartmentofJustice NATIONALPROSECUTIONSERVICE OFFICEOFTHEPROVINCIALPROSECUTOR ProvinceofSamar CalbayogCity PEOPLEOFTHEPHILIPPINES, Complainant, versus ERICSONACOSTA, Respondent. xx COUNTERAFFIDAVIT I, ERICSON ACOSTA, of legal age, married, and a resident of 8th Annapolis, Cubao, Quezon City, afterbeingdulysworninaccordancewithlaw,herebydeposeandstatethat: 1. I am a Freelance Journalist doing research on Human Rights violations and the protection of the environment in Samar for the Alliance of Concerned Samareos (ACOS) and the Kapunungan han Gudti nga Paraguma ha Weste han Samar (KAPAWA). Copies of some of my Research Works and Articlesareheretoattached. 2. On February 13, 2011, having just completed my research task the previous day, I left the village center of Barangay Bayang, San Jorge, Samar at a little past 9 o clock in the morning, and headed for what the barrio folk call their port an unmarked quay by the river which was less than an hours walk via mountain trail, where a pump boat was scheduled to pick me up at the said place andbringmetoSanJorgetownproper. 3. I was joined by Vicente Dacles, the Barangay Secretary, and several other residents of Bay angwhowereallgoingtotownaswellforsomebusiness. 4. Dacles was at the head of our pack, followed closely by myself, while the rest, who were mostlywomenandchildren,werefallingbehindbyatleastahundredmeters. 5.Ataround10:00am,aswewerejustsome200metersawayfromourdestination,wecaught sight of a platoon of soldiers who motioned us (Dacles and myself) to stop. I at once noticed that the soldierswererestingandcookingbytheleftsideofthetrail. 6. One of them approached us alertly and asked where we came from and where we were going.Daclessaidthatwecamefromthevillageandthatapumpboatwaswaitingforusnearbyaswe wereheadedfortown.

NPSNO.VIII09dINV11000230 For:ILLEGALPOSSESSIONOF EXPLOSIVES

7. The soldier then inquired if we knew where they could fetch water. Dacles turned around andpointedtoanareasomewhere,andgavethesoldierbriefdirectionsonhowto getthere.Heeven addedthatifitbecamedifficulttolocate,thesoldiercouldjustaskthe restofourcompanywhowere laggingbehind.Thesoldierthentoldustocarryon,andsowedid. 8.Barelyaminuteafterwehadstartedwalkingagain,anothergroupofsoldiers(thistime merelyateam)hadappearedinfrontofus.Onesoldieraskedthesamequestionswheredidwe comefrom?Wherewerewegoing?Daclessimplyrepeatedtheanswershegaveearlier. 9.Daclesalsotoldthesoldierthatwehadalreadypassedthroughthemainbodyoftheplatoon andhadinfactgiventhesoldierstheredirectionswheretogetdrinkingwater.Thesoldiertolduswe cango. 10.Butjustaswewereturningourbackstohim,thesoldieragainorderedustohalt.Hewas intentlyeyeingtheminiknapsackthatIwascarrying.Hesaid:Anoyangnasabagmo? 11.BeforeIcouldevenreply,thesoldier,inbriskmovements,hadunslungtheknapsackfrom myshouldersandhadzippeditopen.Itwasmycomputernotebookandsomeothercomplimentary gadgetshefoundinsidemyminiknapsack. 12.Thesoldierwasquitesurprisedbywhathesaw.Nasabundokkataposmaylaptopka?the soldiersaid. 13.Thesoldierandhisteamledusquicklybacktowherethemainbodyoftheplatoonwas. Therethesoldierstookturnsdoingbodysearchonme.Theyemptiedmypocketsandmyslingpouch; theycheckedmysides,rantheirhandsthrougheverypartofmybodyandliftedthehemofmyshirt uptomynecklookingforconcealedweapons.Theydidnotfindany. 14.Onesoldierhandedmemycomputerandtoldmetoturniton.Itoldthemthatthe batterieshadalreadydrainedout.Ipressedthepowerbuttontoshowthemthatthecomputerwont boot.ButanothersoldierscoldedmeforpressingthebuttonsayingthatImighthaveconsciouslyand slylytriggeredthecomputertoselfdestruct. 15.Thenthesoldiers,fivetosevenofthematatime,startedtoharanguemealmostinunison, withraisedvoicesandintermittentinvectivesandthreats.Theysaid:NPAka!Mataassiguroranggo mokayakamaylaptop!Magingatkasamgakilosmobakamakatikimka!Huwagkangtumakbo! Ayusinmoangmgasagotmokungayawmongmasaktan! 16.ItriedtoexplaintothemthatIwasdoingresearchintheareabutwhateverIsaidwas drowneditseemedbytheirintenseexcitementtobadgerandharassme. 17.ThiswentonforseveralminutesuntilourothercompanionsfromBayangfinallyarrivedat thescene.

18.Asoldieraskedthewomenofthegroupiftheyknewme.Thewomensaidyesandthatthey weresupposedtogototownwithme.Anothersoldierbuttedinandshoutedandberatedthegroup, Mgasinungalingkayo,saidthesoldier,NPAangtaongito! 19.Anofficerfinallyintervened.Heintroducedhimselfasthecommandingofficerofthe platoon.Hetoldmycompanionsthattheyreallfreeanywaytogotowheretheyweresupposedtogo, andthesoldierswillonlytakewiththemtheTagalog(me). 20.WhenaskedbythewomenwhereIwouldbebroughtto,theofficerjusttoldthemtogo. Hence,BarangaySecretaryDaclesandtherestoftheBayanggroupwerecompelledtoleavemewith thesoldiersandwentstraighttotheport. 21.Theofficerapproachedmeandgavemehisname,2ndLieutenantJacobMadarang.Hesaid thattheywouldbringmetotheheadquartersoftheCharlieCompanyofthe34thInfantryBatallionin BarangayBlancaAurora.Ataround11:00am,Madarangassignedmeaplaceinthemiddleofthe formationandtheplatoonbeganmarchingandpassingthroughstretchesofrockyandmuddyterrain. 22.Wewouldonirregularintervalsstopandrestforafewminutes.IfoundoutthatMadarang wasusingthesereststotrytocontacthissuperiorstoinformthemofmyarrest.Thecellphonesignal intheareaswassounstableorwassimplyabsentthatittookMadarangallofsevenhourstofinallyget toapositionwhereacellphonecallwaspossible. 23.At6:00p.m.,IsawandheardMadarangtalkingtosomeoneonhiscellphone.Hewas consistentinaddressingthatsomeoneassirsoIthoughtthathewasinfactconversingwithoneof hissuperiors. 24.Iimmediatelygotthedriftofthesaidconversation.ItseemedthatMadarangwasbeing toldnottobringmeanymoretotheCompanyheadquarters,butjusttogetridofmeinstead. Madarangontheotherhandwassortoflobbyingorpolitelyinsistingthatitwaswisertobringmeto headquartersforinterrogationashestronglyfeltthatthattheycouldextractfrommesomevaluable information.Ialsoheardhimsay:Tagalogito,sir.Bakatagalegalfrontitongnationalomulasaisang nationalorgan. 25.Afterthephonecall,MadarangtoldhismenthattheywouldindeedbringmetotheCharlie CompanyHQinBlanca.Healsocommandedasoldiertotiemebythewaistbeforewemarchedagain. 26.Anhourandahalflateratanotherstop,Madarangorderedoneofhismentogivemea jacket,andsoIwasgivenone,afatiguearmyuppergarment,andIputiton.AtfirstIthoughtofitas somesimplegestureofhumanitarianconcernonthepartoftheyounglieutenant. 27.Assoonhoweverasweenteredavillagecenter(thiswasthebarangayimmediatelybefore BarangayBlanca),Ifoundoutwhatthejacketwasreallyallabout.Thesoldierbehindmewhowasalso theoneholdingmyleashsuddenlyplacedhisrightarmuponmyshoulders.Theactmadeitappear thatthissoldierandmewerecasuallywalkinglikepalsastheplatoonpassedthroughthedimlylit streetsofthevillage.Theplatoonhadtomakesurethatnooneinthebarriosawtheunitwitha captive.

28.WearrivedfinallyatCharlieCompanyHQinBlancaataround9:00pm.Madarangformally turnedmeandmythingsovertohissuperior.Thelatterintroducedhimselftomeasthecompany commander.Imnotsosurenowhoweverifhehadgivenmehisnameorhisrank.Atanyratehis welcomeremarksconfirmedwithoutdoubtmyearliergutfeel.HesaidPasalamatkabinuhaykapa. Sabikokaninasamgataokohwagkanangdalhinditoatichargekanalangsaencounter. 29.Thecompanycommanderthentoldmetorestforafewminuteswhilewaitingforthe Batallioncommander.Beingfamiliarwiththerightsofapersonunderarrest,Itoldhimthatitwould bebesttoturnmeovertothenearestpolicedetachmentimmediatelyandthatIwouldneedalawyer. Hedidntgivemeanyanswerasifhedidnthearme.Somebodythentookapictureofmeusinga cellphone. 30.Whilewaitingforthebattalioncommander,Isawandheardanarmyofficerbriefingthe personneloncampregardingmyarrestanddetention.TheofficerstressedthatnooneoutsidetheHQ ortheimmediatecommunityaroundthecampmustbetoldtheCharlieCompanywasholdingme.The humanrightsgroupshesaidwouldprobablystartsearchingformethenextdayorthedayafterthat andsotheyhadtobereallystrictthatmypresenceintheHQdidnotleak. 31.Thebattalioncommanderandhisentouragearrivedataround10:00to10:30pm.Thisalso signaledthestartofmyinterrogation.AttheoutsetIreiteratedthatmyarrest,detentionand interrogationwereallbeyondtheboundssetbylaw.Isaidthatiftheyareinanywaycontemplating onchargingmewithsomething,thentheyshouldjustbringmetothenearestpolicedetachmentand thatIwouldurgentlybeneedingtheassistanceofmylawyer.Anofficershowedhisirritationand loudlyandemphaticallysaid:Legalprocedurekayonanglegalprocedureehkayongaangiligal!In thatcase,Isaiditwouldreallybebestformetorefusetoanswertheirquestions. 32.Theinterrogationbyatleast8militarypersonstakingturns,commenced10:30p.m.ofthe 13 ofFebruaryandstretchedupto6:00pmofthe15thofFebruary.Withinthisspan(moreorless44 hours)Iwasonlyallowedtwo(2)hoursofsleepwhichwasactuallymadepossiblebecausemy interrogatorsthemselvesalreadygottootiredandsleepy.
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33.IwassubjectedtovariouslinesofquestioningtowhichIwouldalwaysremindmy interrogatorsthatIcouldonlyanswerquestionsregardingbasicpersonaldata.Myinterrogatorsin turnwouldshowgentle,patientpersistencethatalternatedwithnotsoveiledthreatsthatsaidthat theonlyrealroadtomysafetyiscooperationwiththemilitary. 34.Onthe15thofFebruary,ataround6:00p.m.,thecolonel(whomIhadonlyknownas Williamafterhearinganotherofficeraddresshimassuch)toldmethattheywouldbringmetothe SanJorgeMunicipalPoliceHeadquarters.WerodeanSUVandittookuslessthananhourtoreachSan JorgePNP. 35.UponarrivingatthevicinityofSanJorgePNP,thecolonelandtheotherofficerswent straightintotheheadquartersbuildingwhileIwasleftinsidethevehiclewithmyguardsoldiers. 36.Afterabout20minutes,onesoldier,whohadearlierenteredthesaidbuildingwiththe colonel,returnedtothevehicleandinanurgenttoneaskedmyguardsoldiersiftheyhadbroughtthe grenade.OneofthesoldiersintheSUVsaidyes,andtookoutfromasmallbagagrenadeandgaveit

tothesoldierwhoaskedforit.Thelatterwentbacktothebuildingquiteinahurry.Itwasatthistime thatIguessedandrealizedthatImightjustbechargedwithacrimethathadsomethingtodowiththe grenade. 37.Afewminutesmore,IwasledinsidethePNPbuilding.ApoliceofficernamedLucero receivedmeandinformedmethatIambeingchargedwithillegalpossessionofexplosive.Isawone soldierplacethegrenadeonanofficetableandanotherpoliceofficerwhowasoccupyingthesaid tablepicktheexplosiveupandnonchalantlyinspectedit.Lucerothensaidthattheblotterprocedure couldwaituntilmorning,beforetheinquestinCalbayogCity. 38.MeanwhileLucerotoldmethatIwouldbebroughttotheGandaraHospitaltobeexamined byamedicolegalpractitioner.ThecolonelandhismendrovemetothesaidhospitalandthereLucero presentedmetothemedicolegalaround8:00pm.TheythenbroughtmebacktoSanJorgePNP.The colonelandhismenmadesurethatIwassecurelylockedupbeforeleaving. 39.TheyoungSanJorgePNPchief,Pagulayanstartedchattingwithmefromoutsidemy detentioncell.ItoldhimthatIneededtocontactmyfamilybyphonetoinformthemofmysituation andwhereabouts.Thepolicechiefsaidthathecantallowmetomakethatcall.Ipleadedusinga differenttactbutmainlybyinvokingthatIhavetherighttoaphonecall.Hecounteredbysayingthat hecantdoanythingbecausethecolonelnevermentionedanythingaboutit. 40.Onthe16thofFebruaryat7:30a.m.,Icompletedtheblotterprocedure.Thepolicemade mefillupsomeforms,tookmyfingerprintsandmugshots.Andaround8:00a.m.,thecolonelandhis menarrivedattheSanJorgePNP.Theywereallinstylishcasualcivilianclothes. 41.ThecoloneltalkedbrieflywiththepoliceofficersthenhisgroupleftforCalbayogCitywhere thepolicetoldmeearlierIwouldbeinquest.Afewminutesafterthecolonelleft,Iwasmadetoride thepolicepickupwithmyhandshandcuffedbehindme.WearrivedattheCalbayogCityHallofJustice ataround9:00a.m. 42.AttheHallofJusticemypoliceescortsheadedbyLuceroledmeinsideaprosecutorsoffice. TheytoldmetowaitwhileLuceropreparedthepapersofmycomplainants.Someofthecolonelsmen werealsointhatoffice.Luceroneverattemptedtoexplaintomethedetailsoftheprocedureonhis volition.WhenIaskedsomequestionswhilehewastalkingtotheprosecutorssecretary,Lucerojust flaredupandtoldmetoshutup.Isensedthatthepresenceofthecolonelandhismenwasgivingthe policeofficersomeunduepressure. 43.FromwhatIgatheredfromLuceroandthesecretarysWinarayconversation,therewas somehitchintheinquestschedule.Thestenographerwasnotavailable,accordingtothesecretary. Worse,theprosecutorwasoutandthesecretaryhadnoideawhenhewouldbecomingback.The secretaryadvisedLucerotogotoanotherofficeandtrytoconsultwithsomelegalpersonnelthere. 44.Wewenttothesaidoffice,sodidthecolonelandhismen.Itwasarelativelybigoffice spacewithmanytablesandemployees.LuceroconsultedwithsomepeopleandIheardthat,inlieuof aninquest,hewasadvisedtofacilitatethefilingofthecomplaintdirectlytotheofficeofthejudge. 45.Lucerothenexpressedhisdilemmawithmycustodialdetentioninthathewas apprehensiveofbringingmebacktoSanJorgePNP.Hesaidthattheywouldhaveaproblemwithmy

maintenanceandthatfurthermore,hewasnotsurehowtheywouldperformincasetheNPAtriedto rescueme. 46.Lucerothenaskedifitwerelegallypossibletohandmebacktothemilitaryashehadafew hoursearlierbeenbriefedbythecolonelthatthe8thIDwaswillingtotakemeinundersomespecial custodialarrangements.ItwasherethatIdecidedtointervene.Imadesurethatmyvoicewasloud andclearforalltheemployeesinthatbigofficetohear.Istoodupandsaidthattheideawashighly irregularanddefinitelyillegal.Ithendrewtheirattentiontowardsthecolonelandhismenbypointing attheirgroupwhilesayingthatthesemenincivilianclotheswerethesoldiersandofficerswhoillegally arrestedmeandarenowmycomplainants,andIwouldneverallowthemtotakemeintocustody. 47.Iheardaladyemployeeremark,Ah,mgasundalopalasila!andIsawtheapproving, sympatheticglancesandgesturesofsomeoftheemployees.ThenoneemployeetoldLucerothatI couldnotbebroughtbacktothemilitaryandthebestalternativewastobringmetothesubprovincial jail. 48.ThenIsaid,inthesameloudandclearvoicethatsomeoneshouldtellLucerothatIm entitledtoaphonecall,arightthattheSanJorgePNPdeprivedofmedespitemypleasanddespitethe verycriticalsituationthatmyfamilywasinfarawayMetroManila.AnotheremployeetoldLucerothat, yes,theSanJorgePNPshouldhaveallowedmetocallmyfamily.Theemployee,sensingthatIstillhad moreissuestopresent,toldLucerotobringmetothePublicAttorneysOffice(PAO). 49.AtthePAO,ImentionedtooneofthelawyersthatImightneedtheserviceofoneoftheir attorneysespeciallybecauseIhaveyettocontactmyfamilyandmyprivatelawyerthankstothepolice andthemilitaryscompletedisregardofmyrights.Thecolonel,asiftryingtowashhishands,stoodup andannouncedthatheswillingtoletmeusehisphone.IsaidOK,sothecolonelandIleftthePAOand wentoutsidetheHallofJustice. 50.OutsidetheHallofJustice,thecolonelgavemehisphoneandIwasabletocontactmy mother.ButjustasIwasgivingmymotherthedetailsofmysituation,thecoloneltoldmetoendthe call.Hetookhisphoneandleftwithhismen. 51.AfterthistheSanJorgepolicemenbroughtmetothesubprovincialjailwhereIwas remittedaround1:30p.m. 52.IlaterlearnedthataComplaintforIllegalPossessionofExplosiveswasfiledagainstme beforetheRegionalTrialCourtofCalbayogCityat10:30a.m.ofFebruary16,2011orseventytwo(72) hoursandthirty(30)minutesaftermyarrestonFebruary13,2011at10:00a.m. 53.Ivehementlydenythatthehandgrenadewasconfiscatedinmypossessionorundermy control,butwasintruthonlyplantedbythemilitarywhoarrestedme. 54.Inmyarrestandcontinueddetention,myconstitutionalandhumanrightswereviolated.To summarize: a. Iwasarrestedwithoutwarrantwhilenotcommittinganycrimeordoinganythingillegal;

b. Iwasnotinformedofthereasonformyarrestatthetimeofmyarrest; c. Iwasdeniedtherighttocounsel; d. Iwasdeniedaphonecallandpreventedfromcontactingmyfamilyormylawyer; e. Iwassubjectedtoprolongedinterrogationfor44hours; f. Duringtacticalinterrogation,Iwasphysicallyandpsychologicallytortured; g. Iwasdeprivedofsleep,threatened,intimidated,coercedandforcedtoadmitmembership intheNPA; h. Theevidenceagainstme,thegrenade,wasplanted; i. j. 55.ThisCounterAffidavitisbeingexecutedtoattesttothetruthofalltheforegoingfactsand eventsandtodisclaimalltheaccusationsagainstme. INWITNESSWHEREOF,Ihavehereuntoaffixedmysignatureonthis11thdayofApril,2011at CalbayogCity. SUBSCRIBEDANDSWORNtobeforemethis11thdayofApril,2011atCalbayogCity. IherebyCERTIFYthatIhavepersonallyexaminedtheaffiantandthatIamsatisfiedthathehas voluntarilyexecutedandunderstoodhisCounterAffidavit. (alsosignedbyJULIANF.OLIVA,JR.,counsel) AGUSTINM.AVALON(sgd.) Asst.Prov.Prosecutor ERICSONACOSTA(sgd.) Affiant Thecomplaintagainstmewasfiledincourtonlyafter72hoursand30minutesaftermy arrest;and, Iwasdetainedinamilitarycamp,whichisnotofcivilianjurisdiction.