Convicted Pinoy ‘spies’ in Qatar tortured – report
The Filipinos who were arrested in Qatar in 2010 for alleged espionage and economic sabotage, including those who were found guilty later on, have complained of torture at the hands of arresting officers, a report on “24 Oras” said Monday.
“Binitin ako ng patiwarik, na kung saan yung talampakan ko hahampasin po ng stick,” said one of the nine arrested Filipinos.
Another one said: “Pina-squat nila ako. Pag ako nagkamali ng sagot tinatadyakan ako. Yung posas sumisikip hanggang sa 'di ko na maramdaman ang kamay ko.”
Three of the arrested Filipinos were found guilty by a Qatari court last April 30 — one sentenced to death and two to life imprisonment. The rest were cleared in July 2010, the “24 Oras” report said.
One of the two who were meted life imprisonment had also complained of torture, his wife said.
“Nung una po ang sabi niya sinaktan daw siya,” the wife said in the report. “Hindi niya po nai-describe. Hindi daw po kasi pwedeng sabihin.”
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente Relacion said the embassy, which is providing legal assistance to the three Filipinos, had been informed of the alleged torture.
One of the Filipino workers who was also detained but eventually released said their Qatari boss was implicated in an anomaly involving money and might have used the convicted Filipino as a fall guy.
“Siya ay under fire, siya yung dinidikdik, according to the auditing para mag-testify against sa kanyang amo. Since nung araw na yun ay di na sya pumunta sa hearing, naging wanted siya,” he said.
The case of the three Filipinos is now on appeal. —KBK, GMA News
“Binitin ako ng patiwarik, na kung saan yung talampakan ko hahampasin po ng stick,” said one of the nine arrested Filipinos.
Another one said: “Pina-squat nila ako. Pag ako nagkamali ng sagot tinatadyakan ako. Yung posas sumisikip hanggang sa 'di ko na maramdaman ang kamay ko.”
Three of the arrested Filipinos were found guilty by a Qatari court last April 30 — one sentenced to death and two to life imprisonment. The rest were cleared in July 2010, the “24 Oras” report said.
One of the two who were meted life imprisonment had also complained of torture, his wife said.
“Nung una po ang sabi niya sinaktan daw siya,” the wife said in the report. “Hindi niya po nai-describe. Hindi daw po kasi pwedeng sabihin.”
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente Relacion said the embassy, which is providing legal assistance to the three Filipinos, had been informed of the alleged torture.
One of the Filipino workers who was also detained but eventually released said their Qatari boss was implicated in an anomaly involving money and might have used the convicted Filipino as a fall guy.
“Siya ay under fire, siya yung dinidikdik, according to the auditing para mag-testify against sa kanyang amo. Since nung araw na yun ay di na sya pumunta sa hearing, naging wanted siya,” he said.
The case of the three Filipinos is now on appeal. —KBK, GMA News
Comments