FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

ending in the possession of Atty. Samuel Ong, Mr. President,
members of the committee and ladies and gentlemen.” (t.s.n., Senate
Committee on National Defense, VIII-1, December 8, 2005 11:14 A.M.
2; emphasis supplied)
Due to its credibility and significance, we reproduce Bishop Bacani’s affidavit in
its entirety.
Affidavit of Bishop Teodoro Bacani dated August 15, 2005, submitted to the
Senate – affirming the story of Samuel Ong regarding the latter’s having voluntarily
sought sanctuary, together with T/Sgt. Doble, Angelito Santiago and Marieta Santos,
at the San Carlos Seminary through his (Bishop Bacani’s) help and the intercession of
Rez Cortez, for fear of their lives after Ong’s June 10, 2005 exposé of the Garci Tapes,
and contradicting the PNP’s charge that Ong kidnapped T/Sgt. Doble --
“I, BISHOP TEODORO C. BACANI JR., Filipino. of legal age, and
presently residing at Bahay Pari, San Carlos Formation Complex,
Guadalupe, Makati City, after being duly sworn hereby depose and state
that:
1. On June 10, 2005, Mr. Rez Cortez requested me to give
sanctuary to former NBI Deputy Director Samuel Ong and another
person after a projected press conference to be held somewhere.
Considering the importance for the national interest of what Mr.
Ong was to reveal, I favorably considered the matter. After
consulting with the director of Bahay Pari, and getting his consent,
I agreed to do so.
2. Later in the afternoon of the same day, I learned to my surprise that
Mr. Ong was being interviewed in a van outside Bahay Pari by Mr. Arnold
Clavio.
3. In the meantime I noticed a man and a woman standing in the lobby
of Bahay Pari. After the departure of the van Mr. Ong was being
interviewed, I learned that the man was the other person I was requested
to give sanctuary to. Presuming that the woman was his wife, since they
were so familiar with each other, I had them brought to a room in Bahay
Pari. In no way did they show any sign that they were coerced to come,
especially since Mr. Ong had gone away.
4. Much later, Mr. Ong arrived and I also had him brought to a room
of his own far away from the room of the couple, whom I later to
know later was a certain Sgt. Doble and Marietta Santos.
5. At dusk, I was disturbed to learn, that an unknown man, not a
resident of Bahay Pari was seen inside our premises. We tried to get
hold of the man but he escaped. Fearing harm for the couple, I
rushed to their room and relieved to find that they were safe, Sgt.
Doble said he recognized the man, but it seemed the man did not
41