Supreme Court issues writ of amparo for Karapatan, Gabriela
The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a writ of amparo and habeas data in favor of human rights watchdog Karapatan and women's group Gabriela and ordered the Court of Appeals (CA) to hear the case in June.
The writ was given by the authority of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin upon the written recommendation of the justice in charge of the petition, a May 24 notice seen Thursday showed.
They said their petition was a "response to the worsening attacks, terrorist-tagging by the Philippine military and the ongoing smear campaign against human rights defenders."
The writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is threatened or violated by public officials or private persons.
The writ of habeas data covers similar threats or violations by persons who are gathering, collecting, or storing data or personal information of the aggrieved party.
In the 6-page notice, the SC also ordered President Rodrigo Duterte and Defense and military officials to comment on the petition and make a return of the writ before the CA on or before June 13.
The appeals court was directed to hear the petition on June 18 and resolve the case within 10 days after considering it submitted for decision.