A/HRC/7/10/Add.1 page 51 Malaban in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (“UCCP”), currently in the custody of the Philippine National Police at the Camp Pantaleon Garcia in Cavite. According to the information received, on 27 May 2007 at 5.45 p.m. the pastor was arrested in front of Seven Star gas station at Bgy. Casile, Binan, Laguna, by a sub-unit of the Philippines Armed Forces on board of two L 300 FB vans whose plate numbers were covered. He was then handcuffed and taken to a place he did not know and interrogated. He was forced to give names and addresses of family members, colleagues and of leaders of non-governmental organizations in Southern Tagalog as well as his password to enter his computer and e-mails. During the interrogation he was severely beaten on his head with blunt objects, such as a water bottle and fists. Plastic bags were put over his head and tightened until he could not breathe any more. He was forced to shake his head for about an hour and was beaten when he stopped. He was threatened that his family would suffer if he did not cooperate. He was also threatened with death, burning or burial. He continued to be beaten throughout the whole interrogation session. He was also called “PastorImpostor”, which offended his religious feelings. After about twelve hours, he was put back on the van, still handcuffed and blindfolded, and taken to Camp Pantaleon Garcia. Mr. Guerrero has been charged in connection with a murder case of 1990 and with inciting to sedition. Mr. Guerrero’s abduction is said to be linked to the fact that the UCCP has been included in a military orientation document called “Knowing the Enemy” and listed as a leftist front organization. About 30 UCCP pastors, lay workers have been killed since 2001. Responses from the Government dated 26 July 2007 and 8 November 2007 213. Concerning the accuracy of the allegations, the Government indicated that Pastor Guerrero was arrested at Binan, Laguna by elements of the Naval Intelligence and Security Force (NISF). The arrest was carried out by virtue of Warrants of Arrest for Murder and Incitement to Sedition issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 – Bacoorm Cavite and the Municipial Trial Court (MTC) – Calamba City. The Government further added that Pastor Guerrero is a suspected high ranking member of the Communist Party of the Phillipines/New People’s Army (CCP/NPA) operating in the Southern Tagalog region. 214. Upon his arrest, he was turned over to the Cavite Police Provincial Office and was temporarily held at the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch quarters in Cavite. He was visited immediately by members of his family and friends including politicians. He was also visited by the Special Investigators Quiteves and Abago of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) together with a physician who conducted medical examinations on him. 215. The Government maintained that the alleged torture committed against him is an exaggerated accusation concocted by the National Democratic Front (NDF) to articulate and propagate the essence of their propaganda offensive. There was no complaint lodged by or on behalf of Pastor Guerrero. There were no disciplinary or administrative sanctions imposed on the alleged perpetrators. 216. An update was provided by the Government in a letter dated 8 November 2007. The Government informed that Pastor Guerrero’s case was pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Bacoor, Cavite, under Criminal Case No. B-91-254. Judge Garcia of the Regional Trial Court has reset arraignment to 14 November 2007 and he ruled on 2 August 2007 that there was no basis for Mr. Guerrero’s release since he is charged with a non-bailable offense.