THE SO-CALLED Morong 43 have rejected mediation on their P15-million civil suit against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which means the case would have to proceed to trial.
In a statement, spokesperson Alex Montes said the health workers arrested in a 2010 raid have stood pat on their damage suit against Mrs. Arroyo, former national security adviser Norberto B. Gonzales, and Camp Capinpin warden Manuel Tabion.
“Regardless of what the accused, and their camp, does to deny their accountability for the illegal detention and torture of the 43 health workers, we are firm in resisting any form of arbitration, and we wish for the hearings to proceed,” Mr. Montes said.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 Judge Madonna C. Echiverri had submitted the case to mandatory mediation through an Aug. 26 order. The case was referred to the Philippine Mediation Center on Friday.
The order provided that should mediation fail, the Judicial Dispute Resolution would proceed on Nov. 11.
The health workers were arrested during a medical training session in Morong, Rizal, on Feb. 6, 2010, and were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
“Regardless of what the accused, and their camp, does to deny their accountability for the illegal detention and torture of the 43 health workers, we are firm in resisting any form of arbitration, and we wish for the hearings to proceed,” Mr. Montes said.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 Judge Madonna C. Echiverri had submitted the case to mandatory mediation through an Aug. 26 order. The case was referred to the Philippine Mediation Center on Friday.
The order provided that should mediation fail, the Judicial Dispute Resolution would proceed on Nov. 11.
The health workers were arrested during a medical training session in Morong, Rizal, on Feb. 6, 2010, and were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The group, however, said they were subsequently detained and tortured by military and police officers. They were freed in December that year, after 10 months.
There seems to be ample evidence available that many of the Morong 43 were more than just "health workers."
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the Morong 43 readily admitted their association with the NPA when they were initially arrested by Philippine authorizes.
Photos of several members of the Morong 43 at an NPA camp surfaced on the internet some of which were published in a Mindanao Examiner article.
Several members of the group have reportedly been killed in military encounters with NPA following their release.
Below are just a few URLs that provide information linking the Morong 43 to the clandestine NPA:
THE TRUTH BEHIND MORONG 43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmYc8mPQ08
One of ‘Morong 43’ killed in clash with soldiers
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/one-of-morong-43-killed-in-clash-with-soldiers/
'Morong 43' member among NPAs killed in Bulacan clash, military claims
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/323142/news/regions/morong-43-member-among-npas-killed-in-bulacan-clash-military-claims