At least 10 moros were picked up by the Davao PNP from 3 areas in the morning of March 5, 2003. The areas are: Sanggilangan, Ma-a; Luzviminda Subdivision; and Ecoland (Times beach). The persons who were “invited for questioning” are:
From Sanggilangan, Ma-a:
- Rossman Lupon
- Ustadz Kamar Lupon
- Tony Yatas
From Ecoland: - Mohaldin Maguilany Candao
- Maria Nerissa Santos Utod-Candao
- Norodin Maguilany Candao
From Luzviminda: - Teng Manunggal
- Ismael Buto Sansaluna
- Kristofferson Tabat
- Ricky Pejoro Mantillas
The above persons were taken from the said areas without warrants of arrests even if they are alleged suspects in the bombing that occurred at the Davao International Airport at 5:25 pm of March 4, 2003. After being brought for “interview” to the PNP Regional Office 11 at Catitipan, Davao City, they were eventually released for lack of evidence at 2:30 pm of March 5, 2003.
Two of those who were picked up gave narrated following events at an interview conducted on March 7, at about 4:30-5:30 pm:
Name: Rossman Lupon,
Age: 44 years old
Tribe: Calagan
Occupation: Purok leader, (extra) driver
More than 10 fully-armed police officers in plainclothes, and without name plates came to our community (Sanggalingan, Ma-a) at about 6 am of March 5, 2003. Two men knocked on my house. My wife, Jainab, opened the door and was surprised to see the men. They asked for me and that was the time I came out of our bedroom. I was told by a Major Danao, Station Commander of Talomo, that I was being “invited for questioning” at the Talomo police station. I had already met Major Danao 2 weeks ago when he called for me to go to the Talomo police station to say that wounded MILF combatants were seen entering our community. I denied knowing anything about this. When I hesitated in accepting the present invitation of Major Danao, I was assured that our barangay chair was going with us to Talomo. I relented even when I asked Major Danao why my house was being surrounded by several men if it was just an “invitation” they were extending to me.
Eventually, I learned that our barangay chair was not with us. It was a purok leader who accompanied me and my wife.
While I was in the police vehicle, the police officers started asking me about a certain “Ibrahim Lais” of Kamamara, Davo CIty. I told them I don’t know anyone by that name. They continued to ask me about Lais.
The police convoy proceeded to Kamamara, apparently looking for Lais. When he could not be found, we were brought to Catitipan PNP camp, even though I was told that I was going to be questioned at the Talomo police station. This was the information I had given to my children and other relatives when I left our house.
At Catitipan, we had to wait for the police to start the questioning. A man named “Salim” from Madaum, Tagum City was already in the office. He was also picked up for questioning. Eventually, another group of Muslims (Maguindanaons) were brought in. I learned that they are from Ecoland and Luzviminda Subdivision.
I was questioned by a certain “Lao”. I did not get his first name or his rank. I was asked about my family background. I was asked about my brothers and nephew. I was asked to confirm that one of my brothers and a nephew were implicated in an incident where a bomb was planted in Matina, which bomb did not explode. I denied this. I was asked if I am knowledgeable in TNT and C4 bomb. My picture was taken, even if I resisted.
After my brother Kamar was interrogated, I was questioned again by Lao, apparently to verify Kamar’s statement.
It was only after all the other detainees were interrogated that I was released with the rest of the group. This was at about 2:30 p.m.
I fear for what will happen next. I am afraid that because our names have already been included in the list of suspects, we might be picked up once again, especially because the mayor has ordered the police to pick up people even without warrants of arrest.
Name: Kamar Lupon
Age: 63 years old
Tribe: Calagan
Occupation: Ustadz
I was already watching the early morning news on TV when my daughter told me that there were soldiers in full-battle gear in the vicinity of our house. I went out and asked one of the men what the problem was. When I was told that they are looking for “Kamar Lupon”, I told them thatI was that person. They told me that I had to go with them for a “dialogue with the Mayor”. I went with the police officers as I was confident that I had done nothing wrong. My daughter, Noraton, went with me.
Inside the police vehicle, I was asked about “Ibrahim Lais”. I denied knowing said person. The police convoy went to Kamamara, apparently loking for Lais. When he could not be found, we were brought to a relatively far place, which I learned later on to be the PNP Regional Office 11 at Catitipan, Davao City.
When it was my turn to be questioned, I was brought to a room where a certain “Lao” pounded questions to me. I was asked about my family background, specifically my sons. I was told that one of my sons (Benjamin) was a trainee at Camp Abubakar. I told them that this was impossible because my son is sickly. I was also told that my son Montasser is an MILF member. I told that that he is an ustadz and not with the MILF. I was also asked about my other son, Hairon, who was abducted in May 2000 and was implicated in a bomb planted in Davao City. Hairon was never found after his abduction.
I was relieved when were released at about 2:30 pm. However, until now, I can’t sleep. I find myself still awake up to subu (early morning prayer).
End.
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