Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of the human rights defenders Mr Archie Bathan, Mr Rafael Limcumpao and Mr Domingo Alcantara, in Samal, Bataan on 27 May 2009.

Further Information

Archie Bathan is a student leader of the organisation Youth for National Democracy (YND) and current Secretary General of the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM). Rafael Limcumpao and Domingo Alcantara are both peasant and community organizers. The three human rights defenders are actively engaged in opposing the commissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Bataan, Central Luzon.

On 27 May 2009, at approximately 4pm, Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan were arrested by combined elements of the 303rd Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and 72nd Military Intelligence Company and 3rd Infantry Battalion, both under the 703rd Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), who were armed with automatic rifles and firearms.

The three human rights defenders were attending a meeting at the private residence of Patricio Esconde, in Samal, Bataan, at the time of their arrest. The police and military personnel entered the residence and ordered the three to lie down on the floor. Archie Bathan tried to escape and ran outside towards the rice fields. He was chased and eventually apprehended after warning shots were fired.

Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan were then kicked and beaten with rifles while they were being frisked and handcuffed. They were forced separately into two vehicles and taken to the 303rd PMG headquarters in Camp Tolentino, Balanga, Bataan. From there they were transferred to the provincial hospital but were later returned to the camp where they were observed by medical personnel. At no point were they presented with arrest warrants or informed as to why they were being arrested.

While at Camp Tolentino, Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan were tortured by members of the Police Intelligence Branch (PIB) during interrogation. Archie Bathan reported being blindfolded and then hit in the face with a solid object. They also used the torture technique “Russian-roulette” on him and struck his ears with cupped hands several times without warning. Domingo Alcantara was punched in the head and chest. Rafael Limcumpao was also beaten and suffocated using a thick plastic bag. All three were forced to admit that they were members of the armed group Rebolusyunaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) of the Marxist-Leninist Proletarian Party (MLPP). The victims were also forced to submit their finger prints. The beatings continued until approximately 2am the following day.

On 28 May 2009, at approximately 2pm, Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan were brought to the office of Prosecutor Lumabas where they were formally charged on 3 counts of attempted murder, illegal possession of explosives and firearms. Later in the afternoon, they were turned-over to the Bataan Provincial Jail (BPJ) where they continue to be detained.

Front Line believes that Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan have been arrested, tortured and detained on fictitious charges, in an attempt to hinder their legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights, in particular their work in opposition to the operating of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Front Line is seriously concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of the aforementioned human rights defenders.