SC orders PNP to probe abduction of CPA founding member

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22): SC orders PNP to probe abduction of CPA founding member

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the abduction of James Balao, the founding member of the Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA).

The CPA is a coalition of non-government organizations (NGOs) which is advocating the interest of the indigenous people in the Cordillera Region.

Balao was abducted by five armed men on Sept. 17, 2008.

In the latest resolution of the SC on the case of Balao issued on Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) were relieved of the duty to investigate the case.

Instead, the SC ordered the PNP to investigate the angle presented by the witness Bryan Gonzales.

In the PNP Formal Report, it said that according to Gonzales, Balao may have been abducted by the members of the CPA themselves.

It was learned that Balao was living in a house together with the alleged members of the CPA who were only identified as "Uncle John" and Rene.

However, when the PNP attempted to investigate the two individuals, it was surprising that the leadership of the CPA did not cooperate.

The SC gave the PNP a period of six months to complete the investigation.

The case stemmed from the petition for the issuance of writ of amparo filed by the siblings of Balao and the leadership of the CPA before the La Trinidad, Benguet Regional Trial Court (RTC) against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The RTC granted the petition for the writ of amparo.

However, on Dec. 13, 2011, the SC reversed the privilege of the writ since the petitioner did not present sufficient evidence.

The writ of amparo is granted to any individual whose right to life, freedom and security is being violated or threatened.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=897591