AFP insists on NPA links of ‘Morong 43’ but agrees to help in case review

MANILA, Philippines -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines insisted that the 43 community health workers arrested in Morong, Rizal, on February 6 had links to the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels, even as he vowed to “cooperate” with the justice department's review of the case.

The so-called “Morong 43,” who were immediately backed by militant groups, have been charged in court with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, a non-bailable offense.

“The Armed Forces will cooperate with any investigating authority who will ask for our participation in the review and re-investigation of the Morong case. We will be providing details and evidence that we have, if needed,” said the military spokesman, Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr.

He added that they would not prevent military personnel “from appearing before the court if summoned by competent authorities.”

“Just to clarify, the arrest of the suspected NPA members was made with proper warrants of arrests and search warrants. It was done in the presence of two barangay councilors and the house caretaker,” Mabanta went on.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Tuesday that President Benigno Aquino III has instructed her to review the criminal cases filed against 43 alleged health workers.

She claimed the President gave the instruction before he left for the United States last week.

“We just want to remove doubts that the Morong 43 were really illegally detained and arrested because that is the prevailing opinion of many human rights groups,” said De Lima, who was chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) before she was appointed to the Department of Justice.

As then CHR chairman, De Lima accused the military of having subjected the arrested 43 persons, 26 of whom were women, to “psychological torture” during interrogation.

The military has denied the charge.

“We will honor and respect whatever will be the result of the re-investigation of this case because we firmly believe in our judicial system,” Mabanta said.


(2010-09-29/inquirer.net)