CA issues writ of amparo, permanent protection order for 2 missing activists

The Court of Appeals has issued the privilege of the writ of amparo in favor of activists Elizabeth “Loi” Magbanua and Alipio “Ador” Juat as well as a permanent protection order for them and their immediate families.

In a 39-page decision, the Court also ordered the speedy conduct of  investigation on their continued disappearance.

The CA ordered “without any specific pronouncement on exact authorship and responsibility, declaring the respondents accountable for the enforced disappearance and continued disappearance …” of Magbanua and Juat.

"In the event that herein respondents no longer occupy their respective posts, the directives mandated in this Decision are enforceable against the incumbent officials holding the relevant positions. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall constitute contempt of court," it said.

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.

Named respondents in the petition were Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro; retired generals Jose Faustino and Ricardo de Leon; Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.; Army 6th Infantry Division commander Gen. Roy Galido;  AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Romulo Manuel; and Army 10th Infrantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin.

GMA News Online sought comment from the spokesperson of the AFP but has yet to get a reply as of posting time. 

Ruth Manglalan, who filed the petition for the writ, welcomed the CA's ruling.

"I'm grateful for the CA's favorable decision, that the court decided to side with what is just. It's another step forward towards the fight to finding Loi," she said.

"It's been four months since I last saw her. I miss her. I hope to find her soon and take her safely back home," she added.

The Gabriela Partylist also welcomed the decision.

“Gabriela Philippines hail the court's favorable decision and considers this a significant step towards protecting constitutionally protected rights and liberties of not only Loi, Ador, and their families, but of all Filipinos,” it said.

“The group continues to demand that state forces immediately and safely surface Loi and Ador, and all other victims of extrajudicial arrest and detention,” it added.

Gabriela and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) earlier asked the Supreme 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.—LDF, GMA News