Los Banos,Laguna: He was punched, beaten with a big plastic bottle of mineral water, kicked on his stomach and sex organ.

His face was covered with a plastic bag making him lose consciousness and urinate in his pants.

His tormentors repeatedly threatened to kill, burn, or bury Pastor Berlin Guerrero, whom they also called "Pastor-Impostor."

The torture took place last year, when Guerrero was arrested in Laguna for allegations of rebellion. Guerrero was freed last week after the appellate court ordered his release from police custody.

He recounted these in a symposium here on Thursday that commemorated the martial law anniversary. Teofisto Guingona, former vice president, also attended the forum organized by the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties-Southern Tagalog (MCCCL-ST).

Aris Sarmiento, one of the "Tagaytay 5," who was also a political prisoner during martial law, said the Marcos and Arroyo administrations both used the Armed Forces and the police to suppress growing public discontent.

The difference between the Marcos and Arroyo regimes, he said, is that the latter has become worse.

Sarmiento said that the only difference is that Marcos was elected while Arroyo's presidency remained questionable.

Sarmiento retold his ordeals in the hands of his police captors.

He said he was surprised when the interrogator asked him the question he was once asked 24 years ago.

"What in the hell is a UP graduate doing in the boondocks?" was the question asked before he was jailed two years ago and 24 years ago.

He was charged with violation of the Anti-Subversion Law and was detained for two years from October 1982 to July 1984 in Camp Nakar, Lucena City.

He said that until now, the state "persecutes" even without basis and relies on mere suspicion.

Guerrero was placed under the custody of his lawyer Emilio Capulong while waiting for the final resolution of the Court of Appeals.

"How come serving God and the people is a crime?" he asked.

During the symposium, short films were shown with artists reenacting the alleged abduction, torture, and illegal detention of the "Tagaytay 5."

The film "Tula" reenacted the group's interrogation where Axel Pinpin was subjected to psychological torture. Niña Catherine Calleja, Inquirer Southern Luzon