MAG welcomes the acquittal and release of the four of five torture victims detained at Davao City Jail since 2003 after alleged charges of multiple murder and frustrated murder in connection with a bombing incident in Davao City.
Esmael Mamalangkas, Ting Idar, Tohamie Ulong and Jimmy Balulao Silongan were already free men last January 29, 2010. The two latter, Tohamie and Jimmy were only minors, 16 and 15 respectively, at the time of their arrest.
“They may be are free men from now on however, we can never bring back nor compensate the lost years especially for Tohamie and Jimmy, after suffering for a crime they did not commit“, said Dr. Amy Abcede.
MAG extends its deepest appreciation to the victims’ counsel, Atty. Hamlet Pahm and all the organizations who worked to bring justice for them.