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THE military on Tuesday barred Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon from
seeing visitors who included his estranged wife and representatives
from the Commission on Human Rights.
The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines, which has Faeldon in its custody, prevented Tita
Untalan from seeing her former husband, saying that only immediate
family members and the lawyer of the detainee could see him.
Untalan was married to Faeldon in 1995 until
their marriage were annulled on February 14, 2005. The two have no
children.
Also failing to see the captain were two
investigators from the CHR, Albert Figuerras and Antonio Abago. They
were supposed to check Faeldon’s condition after his family
suspected that he was being maltreated by his custodians.
The CHR also sent a physician to check on
Faeldon, who was being kept by the Isafp since his recapture in
Malabon City Friday night.
Faeldon’s family, led by his brother Cesar,
was accompanied by lawyer Gener Jito to the CHR.
Worried about torture
Faeldon’s family was worried the military
might torture him into disclosing the whereabouts of the four other
fugitive junior officials who mutinied in 2003.
Untalan cried after guards posted at the Isafp
compound in Camp Aguinaldo told her she was not among those allowed
to visit Faeldon.
“I appeal to the Isafp to let me in, I just
want to see Nick, I just want to bring him some food,” she said.
Untalan was reportedly accompanied by
Faeldon’s lawyer, Roel Pulido, and the CHR representatives.
The Isafp chief, Brig. Gen. Marlu Quevedo,
explained to reporters that only Faeldon’s immediate family
members or relatives can visit him.
“It’s my order: only immediate family
members are allowed to visit Faeldon. Since their marriage is
annulled she [Untalan] was barred from entry,” Quevedo said.
He added that the only ones allowed to visit
Faeldon in the Isafp compound are his son, mother, father, brothers
or sisters.
Untalan told reporters she and Faeldon decided
on annulment because he “loves his country more.”
Not lovers
She added that she does not believe reports that
her former husband was having a relationship with Army Captain
Candelaria Rivas, who was arrested with him.
Faeldon himself denied he and Rivas were lovers,
saying the Armed Forces was trying to cover up the support he was
able to get from the AFP ranks.
--Ronnie E. Calumpita and Anthony Vargas
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