The human rights group Karapatan welcomed the Supreme Court’s issuance of writ of amparo and habeas data in favor of rights groups, which have been accused as “communist fronts” by the military.
The Karapatan, Gabriela, and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines filed the petition early last month before the SC for a writ of amparo and habeas data, in response to what they described as “worsening” attacks against human rights defenders, citing incidents of threats, red-tagging and attacks against their members and officers.
On May 24, the High Court granted protection to the three organizations.
“There has been no respite in the military and the government’s attacks against our organization and other human rights defenders and activists, but this is a much welcome development,” Karapatan National Chairperson Elisa Tita Lubi said in a statement.
Respondents of the petition including President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Brig. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, Maj. Gen. Erwin Neri, Lt. Gen. Macairog Sabiniano Alberto, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director Gen. Alex Paul Monteagudo, Deputy Dir. Gen. Vicente Agdamag, Senior Supt. Omega Jireh Fidel, Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Executive Director Jole Sy Egco, Undersecretary Severo Catura, and PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy were required to make a return of the writ before the Court of Appeals on or before June 13. (davaotoday.com)
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