Dela Rosa wants environmental activists, law enforcers to undergo lie detector test

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) — Sen. Bato dela Rosa on Thursday said a lie detector test should be conducted to verify the allegation of two activists that they were abducted by the military and the claim of law enforcers that they actually surrendered.

“Itong dalawang bata na ito na nagsasalita, isu-subject natin ito sa polygraph test, lie detector test ito at tsaka itong army at pulis na accordingly nagke-claim na sila ay nag surrender…dahil both sides are claiming to be saying the truth,” the senator told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

[Translation: These two young people talking, let's subject them to polygraph test, lie detector test and also the army and police who accordingly claim that they surrendered because both sides are claiming to be saying the truth.]

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Wednesday that they are considering filing perjury charges against activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, who have denied surrendering as claimed by authorities. The defense chief noted there is enough evidence to discredit the activists' claims. 

The two activists were reportedly abducted by four men on Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan. Castro said in a media briefing this week that the military was behind this and that they were threatened by authorities. 

Colonel Ronnel dela Cruz, commanding officer of the 70th Infantry Battalion, denied this, insisting that the two voluntarily surrendered to them on Sept. 12 and proper procedures were followed during the process.

While a polygraph test is not admissible in court, Dela Rosa emphasized this will be a big help to know which side is telling the truth.