Caretaker of rebel safehouse ‘missing’ — Karapatan

The human rights group Karapatan said that the caretaker of the house where rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon lived in San Fernando town has been missing since Saturday.

Dennis Abarientos, convenor of Karapatan Cebu chapter, said that Gary Aquilar Santos was left to watch the house” but his whereabouts are not mentioned in the news or official reports.

He said this information was relayed to them by the Tiamzons who are now detained in the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Karapatan also questioned the warrantless arrest of the Tiamzon couple’s companions Joesi Nepia and Arlene Panea, and Nona Castillo who are detained in Manila.

Abarientos said Karapatan is willing to provide assistance to their families but don’t know where they are.

Dogs adopted

The four dogs left behind in the San Fernando safehouse may soon find a new home.

The Island Rescue Organization (IRO Organization) is interested in adopting the four pets (two shih tzus, a Japanese Spitz and a dachshund).

“They’re pitiful. They haven’t eaten but the adoption of the pets still need permission from the owner,” Abarientos said.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7) will conduct a background check of the three detainees from Cebu.

“We are still receiving reports that there are other members of the armed group left in the area and we are still verifying the report,” said CIDG-7’s Senior Supt. Ritchie Posadas.

Authorities are also seeking the owners of the vehicles used by the Tiamzons, a Starex Van and an Innova van, and the house rented by the Tiamzons. The vehicles are now in the Central Command.

Posadas said they are applying for a search warrant to open the two computers, cellular phones and flash drives and portable modems found in the Tiamzon’s rented house.

Court authorization is needed otherwise the evidence would be inadmissible in court.