SC asked to help surface 2 missing labor organizers

Progressive groups Gabriela and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to issue a writ of amparo to two labor organizers who have been allegedly victims of extrajudicial arrest and detention.

Gabriela and KMU accompanied the families of Elizabeth “Loi” Magbanua and Alipio “Ador” Juat to file their petition before the High Court.

“We call on the Supreme Court to ensure the right to life, liberty, and security of human rights defenders and labor organizers Loi and Ador by granting them this Amparo,” Gabriela spokesperson Clarice Palce said in a statement.

“Help us put an end to this new scheme, the extrajudicial arrest and detention or EJAD, employed against activists in the country," she added.

In a 19-page petition, the petitioners prayed for a writ of amparo to be issued in favor of Juat and Magbanua as well as a temporary protection order for their protection and that of their immediate families.

They also asked the high court to issue an order of inspection to allow the petitioners, their lawyers, the Commission on Human Rights, and health or medical workers to inspect the premises of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and Fort Magsaysay to search for the missing labor organizers.

The petition for a writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened.

In the petition, Magbanua’s partner Ruth said Magbanua had been worried about her safety and security prior to her disappearance.

Ruth said Magbanua told her that she was being followed and surveilled by who she believed to be members of the military.

Meanwhile, Juat’s children said that they were worried for their father when he told them that he was staying at Camp Aguinaldo after he was invited.

Marielle said she and her sister, Maureen, were scared for their father’s life and safety and that they were convinced that though he had some freedom, he is not totally free.—LDF, GMA News