Karapatan FULLY SUPPORTS the filing today, April 4, 2011 of the first civil case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and officials under her watch who violated the rights of the Morong 43 community health workers.
This is just the beginning. The filing of the civil case does not foreclose nor preclude the filing of criminal cases against her and her officials in the conduct of the nine-year counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bantay-Laya (2001-2010) which has claimed more than a thousand victims killed, abducted, perjured, jailed and tortured.
Karapatan FULLY SUPPORTS the filing today, April 4, 2011 of the first civil case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and officials under her watch who violated the rights of the Morong 43 community health workers.
This is just the beginning. The filing of the civil case does not foreclose nor preclude the filing of criminal cases against her and her officials in the conduct of the nine-year counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bantay-Laya (2001-2010) which has claimed more than a thousand victims killed, abducted, perjured, jailed and tortured.
We laud the “Courageous Six” of the Morong 43 who spearhead this legal counter-offensive — Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, Gary Liberal, RN, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Macabenta and Mercy Castro. They deserve the people’s unwavering support.
They are morally, legitimately and legally correct in charging Macapagal-Arroyo, former National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales, Gen. Victor Ibrado, Gen. Delfin Bangit, Gen. Jorge Segovia, Lt. Col. Victorino Zaragoza, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Col. Aurelio Baladad, Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, P/Supt. Marion Balonglong, and P/Supt. Allan Nubleza for P2.5-million in damages for each victim under Article 27, 32 and 33 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.
The amount covers 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.
Far beyond the legal monetary claims of the victims, KARAPATAN is resolute in contributing to the over-all efforts to end impunity and achieve justice for victims of human rights violations.
The Quezon City trial of Macapagal-Arroyo is the start of a nationwide campaign to make her and her generals pay for their human rights violations. This should serve as a reminder to current state officials to discontinue their nefarious activities in their so-called counter-insurgency policies and plans.
Citing reports coming from its Caraga regional office, Karapatan informs the public that, some 600 men, women and children have again fled their homes in Brgy. San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur as troops from the 23rd and the 29th IB-PA of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conduct aerial bombardment, shelling and clearing operations for the “peace and development” of the area under the supposedly new counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan.
It is in this light that we urge President Noynoy Aquino to discontinue Oplan Bayanihan which is merely a continuation of the old US-inspired Oplan Bantay-Laya of the GMA regime.###