police, military, and prison premises; and she publicized the facts in the media.24 She stated that, when she went to the police, she was told that it was necessary to wait 12 hours before beginning the search.25 32. On May 17, 1997, Lidia Bravo filed a complaint for the abduction of Mr. Palma Mendoza, which was examined by the XIth Criminal Judge of Manabi (hereinafter “XIth Judge of Manabí”).26 At that time, Mrs. Bravo stated that SECAP personnel and neighbors had indicated that, the previous day, the said white pickup truck had arrived accompanied by a blue FAE pickup truck and another car with uniformed military personnel. 27 That same day, the XIth Judge of Manabí ordered the Head of the Manta Crime Investigation Office (hereinafter “the OID”) to open an investigation into the incident that had been denounced, and to forward the findings to this judge in order to open the corresponding criminal proceedings.28 33. On May 21, 1997, the OID sent a request to the FAE asking that the “personnel who were present on the SECAP premises on the morning of Friday May 16, [that] year” appear at the OID offices.29 The next day, the OID made another request to the military institution to obtain information on whether personnel under the command of “the Commander of the No. 23 Fighter Wing ha[d] arrested” Mr. Palma Mendoza, and asked it to indicate “whether the said unit ha[d] a white double-cabin pickup truck type of vehicle.”30 In addition, from May 17 to 23, 1997, the day on which the police report was prepared recording “measures taken” in the investigation arising from the complaint filed by Lidia Brave, the OID conducted other procedures: reception of statements from Lidia Bravo, Luis Palma Bravo, and individuals who worked in the SECAP or in its vicinity, and an order (that was not complied with) for a conscript who “was serving his enlistment in the FAE” “to come forward to testify.” The report also indicated that an inquiry was made, with negative results, as to whether military forces had organized any operation in which Mr. Palma Mendoza could have been detained, and whether the white pickup truck that was used in his abduction belonged to the army. Among its conclusions, the report noted that “in the moments just before the abduction, a vehicle of the Armed Forces with members of this institution arrived at the SECAP premises to discuss the organization of two courses and the abduction occurred while a conscript was waiting in the vehicle.”31 24 Cf. Complaint filed by Lidia Bravo on May 17, 1997, folio 19; court order to investigate an alleged crime issued by the XIth Criminal Judge of Manabí on July 1, 1997, folios 71 and 72; affidavit prepared by Pablo Palma Pico, folios 397 to 400, and statement made by Lidia Bravo before the Court. 25 Cf. Statement made by Lidia Bravo before the Court. 26 Cf. Complaint filed by Lidia Bravo on May 17, 1997, folio 19; court order to investigate an alleged crime issued by the XIth Judge of Manabí on July 1, 1997, folios 71 and 73; When filing the complaint, Lidia Bravo asked that the respective investigation be conducted and asked that the pertinent communications be sent to the OID of the Manta Police and to the FAE in order to obtain information on the facts denounced. 27 Cf. Complaint filed by Lidia Bravo on May 17, 1997, folio 19, and court order to investigate an alleged crime issued by the XIth Judge of Manabí on July 1, 1997, folios 71 and 72. 28 Cf. Official note No. 640-97, signed by the XIth Judge of Manabí, addressed to the Head of the Manta OID, dated May 17, 1997 (file of attachments to the answering brief, attachment 9, folio 1916). 29 Cf. Official note No. 97-337–OID–MM of May 21, 1997, signed by the Police Major, Deputy Head of the Manta OID, addressed to the No. 23 Fighter Wing Commander (file of attachments to the answering brief, attachment 2, folio 1863). 30 Cf. Official note No. 97-339–OID–MM of May 22, 1997, signed by the Police Major, Deputy Head of the Manta OID, addressed to the No. 23 Fighter Wing Commander (file of attachments to the answering brief, attachment 3, folio 1866). 31 Cf. Police Report No. 97-218-OID-MM-PREL, signed by the investigating agent Bonifacio Lino Caicedo, dated May 23, 1997 (file of attachments to the answering brief, attachment 1, folios 1856 to 1860). 11