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NEWS RELEASE
July 15,2008 Attention: News Desk
Reference: Ma.Esmeralda Macaspac, Executive Director (09209102927)
AFP URGED TO RELEASE ABDUCTED MINOR TO MOTHER
The Armed Forces of the Philippines should release Fatima Gumanoy, 17
years old, to her mother and not to anyone else. This demand was
emphasized by the Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC), a non-government
organization helping children victim of armed conflict, after Lt. Col.
Brawner stated that the AFP is bound to release Fatima to the DSWD.
“Neither the AFP nor the DSWD has a rightful claim on Fatima. The mother,
Nanay Maria, is in the best position to take care of her child especially
in this time of Fatima’s need. Neither Fatima nor Nanay Maria has a
pending case in court that will deprive them of their liberty and right to
be united as family,” stated Ma. Esmeralda Macaspac, Executive Director of
the CRC.
Macaspac also expressed doubt over the AFP’s real intention to the Gumanoy
sisters because they continue to violate Nanay Maria’s right over her
child. “The AFP’ response to the plea of Nanay Maria is not to the best
interest of the child, based on national and international laws.”
Fatima and Roseann Gumanoy were abducted by the military on July 3, 2008.
Immediately after learning of their fate, the mother sought the release of
her two daughters especially Fatima, a minor. The military on the other
hand has continuously denied Maria Gumanoy of her right citing that the
sisters are better left in the care of the army. “The military can not
escape accountability even if they claim that Fatima and her sister
voluntarily came to them. Neither will they be absolved if they turn over
Fatima to DSWD. The facts are clear -- they abducted the Gumanoy sisters,
The military violated Nanay Maria’s rights just as they also violated
Fatima’s rights when they took custody against their will.”
The Children’s Rehabilitation Center further stressed that as long as the
AFP uses children as part of their counter insurgency campaign, children
and minors like Fatima, will continue to be targets of human rights
violations.###
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