Morong 43 Files Criminal Raps Versus GMA, Military and PNP Officials

Saying they have “grown tired of the Aquino administration’s inaction in going after human rights violators”, several members of the Morong 43 today filed before the Department of Justice a criminal complaint against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and several military and police officials

The criminal complaint – the first criminal complaint involving human rights violations against the former president - for torture, violation of Republic Act 7438 (An Act Defining Certain Rights of Person Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation) and robbery was filed by Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, Gary Liberal- a registered nurse, Maria Teresa Quinawayan – a registered midwife, and community health workers Mercy Castro, Reynaldo Macabenta, Jane Balleta and Samson Castillo.

Among those charged with Arroyo are recently promoted military officials Lt. Gen. (now Major General) Jorge Segovia, Col. (now a brigadier general) Aurelio Baladad and Lt. Col. (now Colonel) Cristobal Zaragosa,

According to Liberal, spokesperson of the complainants, the recent promotion of Gen. Segovia, Col. Baladad and Col. Zaragosa “was the last straw” that prompted them to file the criminal complaint. “President Aquino himself, when he ordered our release in 2010, acknowledged that we were denied due process. More than a year has passed, not only has he done nothing to investigate the military officials involved, he even promoted them”, lamented Liberal. “Sobra na! Tama na!”

The complaint contained the individual accounts of torture of the complainants which include blindfolding for a prolonged period of time, physical and verbal abuse, threats against their person and their families, humiliating treatment and other forms of psychological torture.

Gen. Segovia was named respondent for being the immediate commanding officer of the military unit/s or personnel involved making him liable under the Anti-Torture Law. Respondent Col. Zaragosa, whose promotion was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments last February 23, 2012, together with another respondent Maj. Manuel Tabion, were identified in the complaint as those who directly supervised and participated in the torture of the complainants.

Former president Arroyo, former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado and former Army Chief Gen. Delfin Bangit were named respondents under the principle of command responsibility.

Also named respondents are Col. Joey Reyes , PNP officials P/Supt. Marion Balonglong, P/Supt. Allan Nobleza. Also included are the Morong 43’s military custodians at Camp Capinpin namely: Lt. Jovilee Cabading, a military officer who introduced himself as Vicente Lopez, and several military personnel known only as Bulaklak, Caloagan, Cea and Idloy. #

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Reference:
Gary Liberal
Spokesperson
0922 - 5751689

Carlos Montemayor, Jr.
Free the 43 Alliance
0923 - 2228285