Morong 43, kin and supporters attend first hearing on their civil case vs GMA etal

By END Impunity Alliance
June 10, 2011

QUEZON CITY  –  Today, former political prisoners and members of the Morong 43 health workers, who were illegally arrested, tortured and detained last year, attended the first hearing on the writ of preliminary attachment of the civil case that they filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) and security officials under her regime, seeking damages for the human rights violations they suffered as part of their efforts to seek justice and to end impunity. The civil case was raffled to Branch 226 of the QC Regional Trial Court with Judge Padilla as the presiding judge.

The plaintiffs in the civil case are Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, Gary Liberal, RN, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Makabenta and Mercy Castro. Along with GMA, sued for damages under Article 27, 32 and 33 of the Civil Code are former National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales, former Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, Gen. Delfin Bangit, former commander of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) Gen. Jorge Segovia, commander of the intelligence unit of the 2nd ID Philippine Army Lt. Col. Victorino Zaragoza, 2nd IDPA Maj. Manuel Tabion, commander of the 202nd Infantry Batallion (IB) Col. Aurelio Baladad, 16th IBPA commander Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, Commanding Officer of the Rizal Provincial Public Safety Management Company P/Supt. Marion Balolong, and Chief of the Intelligence Branch of the Rizal Provincial Police Office P/Supt. Allan Nubleza.

Cristina Palabay, Convenor of the End Impunity Alliance, expressed the support of the newly formed network of civil libertarians, human rights defenders, and personalities, for the members of the Morong 43 in their continuing efforts and courage to pursue justice and accountability on the rights violations inflicted on them.

“It has been nearly a year since Pres. Benigno Aquino III assumed office, and not a single perpetrator of human rights violations under the Arroyo regime has been prosecuted and put behind bars. As of May 2011, there have been 50 victims of extrajudicial killings, while there are 336 political prisoners, including remaining two among the Morong 43, who are still languishing in jails. It is no wonder that the culture of impunity persists because the rights violations are still being perpetrated, perhaps more brazenly, up to the present,” Palabay said.

At least five causes of action are being sought by the health workers against the former president and her officials involved in the case.  These include damages for torture, damages for the violation of their constitutional and statutory rights, including their right against arbitrary and illegal detention, right against self-incrimination and right to counsel, divestment of personal belongings, Arroyo’s neglect of duty, and moral damages.