Manila, Philippines?The Court of Appeals told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to stop disseminating information accusing Fil-Am activist Melissa Roxas as a member of the communist New People's Army.

In its decision, the appeals court, through Associate Justice Noel Tijam said such dissemination of unverified information violates the right to privacy and endangers the life of Melissa.

The appeals court added that Roxas was indeed abducted and tortured and that there was no truth to the claims by the Arroyo government that the incident was ?stage-managed? or ?self-inflicted?.

Renato Reyes, secretary general of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said: "We believe that this is the most important aspect of the decision. This particular finding is a victory for Melissa because it shows that she was telling the truth about her ordeal. It is clear proof that torture does exist in the Philippines under the watch of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

The appeals court also issued a protection order which covers Roxas and her family here in the Philippines.