Army welcomes court order over P15M suit filed by ‘Morong 43’

One of the 43 health workers arrested by the military in a raid in Morong raises a clenched fist as they are returned to their bus on their way to Camp Capinpin Detention facility in Tanay, Rizal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Army welcomed on Tuesday the order of a Quezon City court for its officers to answer the P15-million damage suit filed by the supposed health workers known as “Morong 43”, but maintained its stand that the persons arrested in the raid in Morong, Rizal in 2010 were legitimate members of the New People’s Army.

Major Harold M. Cabunoc, acting Army spokesman, said that the military has strong pieces of evidence that led to the involvement of the 43 in the armed movement.

“All of the 43 members are full-time NPA cadres who are listed on the Periodic Status Report and some have records of previous arrests,” he said.

“Five of the 38 were doctors and nurses, including Doctors Mary Clamor and Alexis Montes, who belong to the National Health Bureau of the NPA, the equivalent of the AFP Medical Corps or Surgeon General. The rest were NPA medics and logistics personnel in charge of treating wounded rebels and procuring medical equipment and paraphernalia and materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or man-made bombs,” he added.

Also recovered in the raid on Feb. 6, 2010 were various firearms, explosives and explosive components. Shortly after the arrest, five of the 43 admitted they were members of the NPA.

President Benigno Aquino III ordered the release of the detainees in December last year.

In a resolution dated September 30, Quezon City regional trial court Branch 226 summoned former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her co-defendants to answer the civil complaint filed against them.

The 43 health workers filed the complaint in April this year before Judge Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla of RTC Branch 226.

Padilla also denied the application of the health workers for a writ of preliminary attachment to hold the defendants’ assets worth P15 million.

But the plaintiffs’ counsel led by lawyer Edre Olalia only received a copy of the order from the court on Monday.

Aside from Arroyo, her co-defendants include Aside former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, former Army chief Major General Delfin Bangit, former 2nd Infantry Division chief Major General Jorge Segovia,  Colonel Victorino Zaragosa, Major Manuel Tabion, Colonel Aurelio Baladlad, Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Abawag, Superintendents Marion Balolong and Allan Nubleza.

The P15-million damage suit was filed on April 8 by Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, nurse Gary Liberal, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Macabenta and Mercy Castro.