Philippines: Justice for Alfreda Disabarro
Dear Inspector General,
Alfreda Disabarro has made allegations of torture and other ill-treatment while she was in custody at the Paranque Police
Headquarters in October 2013. We call on The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service to:
• Open an investigation into these allegations and ensure that the investigation is prompt, impartial, effective and
efficient.
• If the investigation confirms the torture allegations:
o Refer the case for public prosecution and cooperate with further investigations as needed by the court;
o Take immediate administrative measures against any police officers who are found to have been
involved into the torture and other ill-treatment of Alfreda Disbarro, including those who were complicit
in her torture; and
o Provide a safe space for whistle-blowers within the Philippine National Police who wish to report their
personal knowledge of torture by their colleagues, including in the case of Alfreda Disbarro.
Sincerely,
Name (please print)
Jane Smith
Petition created: May 2014
Please submit petition by end August 2014 to:
Amnesty International Canada
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Ottawa, ON K1N 1H9
Contact: [email protected]
Event:
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Signature
Phone and Email
613-241-3494, [email protected]
Philippines: Justice for Alfreda Disabarro
NAME: ALFREDA DISBARRO
GENDER: FEMALE
DATE OF BIRTH: JANUARY 29 1982
MARITAL STATUS: SINGLE
FAMILY: ONE DAUGHTER
The account below is based on Alfreda’s testimony and sworn affidavit.
Early-evening on October 3, 2013, single mother Alfreda Disbarro was at an internet cafe near her house in Barnagay San Antonio, Paranaque. She states that she was approached by
two police officers and unofficial police auxiliary, who accused her of being a drug pusher. Alfreda vehemently denied the allegation and voluntarily emptied her pockets revealing just a
mobile phone and a five-peso coin. Without warning, the unofficial police auxiliary pointed a gun at her while the police officer punched her in the chest. She was handcuffed and taken
to the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) at the Paranaque Police headquarters.
On arrival at police headquarters, Alfreda was frisked by a male unofficial police auxiliary. Her hands were tied behind her back and she was taken to a room with five other detainees.
Two hours later a senior police officer took Alfreda to a kitchen. Attempting to force an admission of guilt, the senior police officer pinned Alfreda against a wall. He repeatedly punched
her in the stomach and face, hit her with a club, poked his fingers in her eyes, slapped her, forced her to eat a mop and banged her head against the wall. One of the arresting officers
took-over beating Alfreda using his fists and a wooden stick.
On October 4, Alfreda was taken to the Barangay Hall of Barangay San Antonio where police produced three one-hundred-dollar bills and a sachet of drugs. Alfreda protested her
innocence.
Alfreda was woken the next morning and told to sign a blank sheet of paper, she was also photographed with the money and the sachet of drugs. Later Alfreda was taken to a women’s
detention facility. She was in such pain in the days that followed the beatings that she couldn’t eat, had difficulty breathing and kept vomiting.
Alfreda went before the Prosecutor on October 8, charged with the sale and possession of illegal drugs but was not asked about what the police had done to her.
Following a complaint by Alfreda’s sister to the Commission on Human Rights, Alfreda underwent a medical examination on October 10. The doctor found numerous bruises and marks
on Alfreda’s body that had been inflicted in the past 7-14 days. The doctor concluded that the injuries had been caused by a blunt, hard object and recommended a Scan to check for
internal injuries.
Alfreda is currently detained in a local city Jail and is awaiting trial on the charges she faces.
Amnesty International has serious concerns about the widespread use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the Philippines. State security forces
including law enforcement officers continue to torture suspects and prisoners. Justice is out of reach for the vast majority of people who are tortured. And perpetrators are almost never
held to account. The country has an extensive legislative framework to stop torture, and the government has pledged to increase its efforts to ensure these laws are implemented. The
Philippines is also party to key international anti-torture laws and mechanisms. And yet a culture of impunity persists.
STOP TORTURE IN THE
PHILIPPINES
ACT NOW and seek justice for torture survivor
Alfreda Disbarro