Some just think that torture is justified in keeping stability of a country. I don’t think it is. And making it legal is an extreme form of twisting justice.

I think its a far cry from being a racist issue. I even wonder how it got there. Why would we even want support from the U.S.? If we start acting like a dependent country always asking for support the more we would look like a colony rather than an independent country who knows how to solve its own problems. I know we can deal with this problem without foreign support. Its on the perrogative of Melissa Roxas. And wouldn’t it send the wrong signal since other tortured people from this country are not given the same attention since they are not American citizen?

I feel for Melissa though, assuming what she says is true. I saw the documentary on T.V. The video showing her with firearms training with the NPA was very convincing. The military even pointed a mole on her left cheek which matched the video. If she turns out to be a real NPA and is just exaggerating her claims it would really make us look bad given we ask foreign support.

Okay, thanks for correcting my geography. We are not far apart. I agree the affidavit is chilling and would wish that experience on no one. I hope the investigation is forthright and fair . . .

Joe

“Consider for a moment the gravity of such allegations, particularly in a recent media cycle in which the world has been treated to the disturbing saber-rattling of North Korea (including, possibly, a definable act of war committed by that country against the US and South Korea), the conviction and imprisonment of two American journalists in North Korea, the coup in Honduras, the violent protests in the aftermath of the Iranian presidential election, and bloody unrest in Western China. Government-sponsored evil-doing is hot right now. Granted, the news cycle tends to have a high refresh rate, but something like the sanctioned kidnapping and torture of an American citizen by the military forces of an allied nation, without charge or reference to legal process ought to register as more than a blip on the media radar.

And so what has happened to this story? In the US media, Melissa Roxas attracted exactly ZERO attention, and even here in the Philippines, which thrives on bad news, her alleged ordeal had a less-than-normal lifespan. Her affidavit and statements were reported, as were the dismissive reactions of relevant government authorities and a lukewarm statement from a “spokesman” from the US Embassy (which apparently didn’t consider the issue a big enough deal to trot out the Ambassador herself or even one of the vice-consuls) assuring the public that they take such matters “very seriously” and were “looking into it.””

All manner of speculation can be drawn from both Roxas’ story and the curious reaction to it. And while it is true that habi and bayan-usa are not specifically part of the terror list, their relationship with the organization and people who are is well-noted by the State Department. Too strong a reaction by the US, in the absence of compelling evidence, is just not sensible politically or legally. Have you considered, for example, what the ramifications would be if the US voices suspicions against the Philippine military or government, and it then it turns out that it actually WASN’T the military or some government-connected outfit? No wonder the US isn’t touching this.

I have my own speculation, but it is no more valid than anyone else’s is, for exactly the same reason: there is no evidence to support it. No matter what anybody thinks, the only information is a single affidavit from a complainant, and one that is lacking in details that would help to guide an investigation at that.

second, was tarlac a war zone during that period? was there a travel advisory issued on central luzon during that period? i don’t believe so. roxas was not acting against an advisory cautioning americans not to travel through central luzon.

@ben k, are habi and bayan-usa part of the us terrorist list? indeed.

@bencard, i’m not looking for automatic condemnation of the RP government; i am in full agreement with MB that a full investigation is called for. i’m merely surprised that the us government has not communicated officially re concern over the allegations that an american citizen has been tortured in a friendly nation.

i have my own suspicions — could not roxas have been programmed (think torture by the friendlies ala V for Vendetta), her foreign citizenship a cudgel to use by the programmers?

the affidavit as it is, however, is gripping and chilling enough reading to try to visualize its content, so therefore the post above.

@mb, agreed that who kidnapped and tortured roxas is the issue. despite the tenor of automatic finger-pointing at the military, i wouldn’t put it past the armed terrorist left to themselves perform this atrocity.

It is worth pointing out that Ms. Roxas acted against the advisories of the US State Department which warn Americans to be careful in Mindanao.

To put it simply, a technique I learned from the esteemed Benign0: When one enters a war zone and espouses the views of the enemy, one entertains certain risks . . .

And to put it bluntly, a technique I learned from my brother, who was disinclined to brook much sympathy for the errors of my ways: Is Roxas stupid, or what?

And if was an official and illegal undertaking of the Philippine military . . . let those responsible be held accountable under the laws of the Philippines.

Joe