Last Seen:

November 24, 1990

Camarines Sur
EDMUNDO CAMACHO SARMIENTO, 18, single, a farmer and resident of Sitio Malabod, Del Carmen, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, was arrested on 24 November 1990 by a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) from the 2nd Infantry Battalion Philippine Army based in Barangay Antipolo, Tinambac, Camarines Sur.  Earlier that day, Edmundo went to Scout Fuentebella, Goa, to take charge of a volleyball game there. At around 2:00 in the afternoon and while he was running an ongoing game, a CAFGU member arrived. He was armed with a hand grenade and, without any provocation, apprehended Edmundo.

The barangay captain hurriedly drew near and asked him what the reason was for the arrest of Edmundo. He answered that there was a problem between him and Edmundo and that he wanted the two of them to discuss it at the Army camp in Antipolo, Tinambac.

The perpetrator warned the barangay captain not to come nearer, or he would defuse his hand grenade.

The two men left the place and walked towards Antipolo, Edmundo in tears because of fear. About 30 minutes after they had gone, the barangay captain of Antipolo and several other people decided to follow the two to Antipolo.

Upon reaching the camp, they talked with its commanding officer, a lieutenant, and asked about Edmundo's whereabouts; he informed them that they had already released Edmundo and added that Scout Fuentebella wasn't even under the jurisdiction of his command.  From the army camp, Diaz went to Del Carmen to inform Dioscoro and Bienvenida Sarmiento, Edmundo's parents, about their son's arrest.

The following day, the Sarmiento couple, accompanied by the captain and several Antipolo barangay officials, went to the army camp to look for Edmundo or any information as to his whereabouts. They did not find Edmundo there nor any lead to what happened to him.  Edmundo's parents also made an appeal and sought the assistance of the municipal mayor of Goa, the Provincial Board of Camarines Sur, and the local radio stations in Naga City. All these efforts, however, have produced nothing.  Finally, the Sarmientos sought the assistance of the local chapter of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG-Camarines Sur). They have Atty. Danilo Dela Torre as legal counsel. A formal complaint was filed on 23 January 1991 against the CAFGU member for kidnapping and murder.

details about their circumstances.