Palace: Doctor’s arrest not red-tagging

MANILA, Philippines — The arrest of community doctor and human rights worker Ma. Natividad Castro is not a case of red-tagging, Malacañang said yesterday.

“If you look at the facts of the case…the arrest was made by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by a regional trial court for serious illegal detention and kidnapping. So there is a specific crime that was the cause of the warrant of arrest issued by the RTC,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said at a press briefing.

“This is not a case of red-tagging. Again, the arrest warrant was issued by the court,” he said.

Castro, 53, was arrested in San Juan City last week based on a warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Judge Fernando Fudalan of the 10th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 7 in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

The court did not recommend bail for Castro’s release.

Nograles also said proper procedure was followed in Castro’s arrest.

“But even previous to that, it went through the process of investigation by the prosecutor and at every avenue and at every opportunity, (Castro’s) lawyers were given the opportunity,” he said.

Castro is accused by the government of being a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Provincial jail

Castro was transferred to the Agusan del Sur provincial jail on Monday to comply with an order of detention issued by the court, Caraga police director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said yesterday.

He criticized the Commission on Human Rights and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) for allegations that police committed violations in arresting Castro while they were silent on the arrest of other suspected criminals.

“Bakit dito sa pagkakahuli ni Dr. Castro ay putak sila nang putak (Why do they blabber on Dr. Castro’s case)?” he said.

Caramat said there was a need for a “blitzkrieg” operation because the target – Castro – is a member of the CPP’s central committee.

He added that there were policewomen on the raiding team who dealt with Castro.

Raps eyed vs cops

In an interview over One News’ “The Chiefs” on Monday night, FLAG Caraga chairman Wilfredo Asis said they filed a petition for bail.

He added that FLAG has been informed that the hearing on the case was set on March 4.

Asis said they would “throw the book” at police officers who arrested Castro on Feb. 18.

He noted that the police officers did not show Castro a copy of the arrest warrant, were not in proper police uniform and did not identify themselves.

“They were practically acting like criminals themselves,” Asis said.

He said the issuance of the arrest warrant was a “hush-hush affair,” and that “there was not even a notice that there was going to be a preliminary investigation.”

Asis said they are also considering filing moral damages against the arresting officers because of their “inhumane” treatment of Castro, who suffers from diabetes and hypertension.

Asis said FLAG asked the court to have Castro undergo medical examination by a duly licensed physician from the Department of Health to “do away” with allegations that she is faking her illness. – Evelyn Macairan, Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin