Updates from the Fact-finding Mission on the death of Gregan Cardeño in the USAF detachment inside of the 103rd Brigade Camp

On February 02, 2010, Gregan Velez Cardeño, 33 years old, a resident of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay died while performing his duty as Interpreter of the U.S Forces under BALIKATAN of the Joint Special Operations Task Force of the Philippines (JSOTFP), under the Visiting Forces Agreement, stationed at 103rd Bigade PA, Camp Ranaw, Brgy. Datu Saber, Marawi City. They said he committed suicide.

Without death certificate and permit to transport, US troops through US chopper transported Gregan’s cadaver in casket filled with ice from Marawi City to Zamboanga City.

The family is not convinced that Gregan committed suicide. Because, six (6) hours before his death, he had a conversation with his family and confessed that his work is inconsistent with the contract he had signed.  The family observed patent and fatal injuries, several penetrating wounds on both feet and legs on Gregan’s cadaver. The family through phone calls were informed that the crime scene was contaminated when police arrived to investigate, adding more doubts to the family on the matter if Gregan committed suicide or a foul play happened.

To shed light on the issues not clear to the family and conduct further investigation, Justice for Gregan Cardeño  Movement will spearhead a National Fact Finding Mission (NFFM) at the place of incident in Camp Ranao, Brgy. Datu Saber, Marawi City on March 2-4, 2010.

Fact-finding Mission Updates

March 2

First day of the Nat'l Fact Finding Mission on the Gregan Cardeño murder case.

3 PM: A press conference was held at a restaurant in Zamboanga City announcing the start of the mission to Marawi City.

6 PM: An orientation was held for the participants of the mission who came from KAWAGIB Human Rights, United Methodist Church, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Zamboanga and Sulu chapters, Karapatan national office, and Initiatives for Peace (InPeace) Zamboanga.

9:26 PM: Fact-finding team composed of Aurora Gonzales, Faye Reyes, Sharyfah Ainie mamalo, Cora Larobis, Bai Ali Indayla, Ariel de Asis, Miriam Abba, Jocelyn Basaluddin, Joseph Eugenio and the family of Gregan Cardeño namely Grace, Tata, Loraine, and Gregorio started the caravan from Zamboanga. They are expected to arrive in Iligan by 6 AM.

March 3

3:25 AM: The Fact-finding team from Zamboanga arrived at Pagadian City.

7:08 AM: Caravan arrived at Iligan City and welcomed by participants of mission coming from the city. They went directly to the office of the Commission on Human Rights in Iligan City.

8 AM: The Commission of Human Rights in Iligan agreed to accompany the mission to Marawi. Further arrangements were made.

9:38 AM: The Fact-finding team, joined by members of the Commission on Human Rights Iligan City and Maria Hilao Enriquez of Karapatan, arrived at the MSU Campus Marawi City. Total number of participants now at 54.

11:18 AM: The mission was divided into three teams. Two teams went to Camp Ranao, the Philippine Army's 103rd Brigade headquarters. Another went to the police headquarters. Both locations are in Marawi City. As of this moment, the two teams are requesting entry to the army camp. Stationed inside the 103rd Brigade is a detachment of the US Armed Forces.

11:46 AM: Only one van of the mission was allowed entry inside the camp. Marie Enriquez of Karapatan was one of those permitted entry inside the camp.

1:13 PM: Members of the mission who were permitted entry were only allowed to entry the brigade office. They had a brief talk with Col. Felix Castro, the deputy commander, and with Capt. Mike Kaye of the US Armed Forces. Both claim that they knew nothing of the incident. After being denied access to the place of incident, the mission questioned Col. Castro how come he does not have an official report of the incident that happened inside the camp, which obviously is covered by their jurisdiction. Army officer replied to mission with a statement that Gregan Cardeño died "under unidentified circumstances".

2:16 PM: The mission left Camp Ranao.