PHOTO by Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said it has pieces of evidence to prove that the allegations of intimidation and threats by a group of human rights lawyers against them are baseless.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) earlier sought the assistance of the Supreme Court , claiming that its members’ lives are in danger because of the military’s alleged intimidation and red-tagging.
The AFP said it has already communicated with the Office of the Solicitor General and has prepared its defense on all the “baseless” accusations of the NUPL.
“We are committed to tell the honorable Supreme Court nothing but the truth when we present our side that the acts attributed to the AFP are mere imputations and allegations. We have pieces of evidence to refute NUPL,” said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo in a statement.
On Friday, the Supreme Court has granted the request of NUPL on the protection of its members by issuing a writ of amparo and habeas corpus.
Both writs serve as preventive and curative roles to curb extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
But Arevalo said that while this is a prerogative of the Supreme Court, it is not yet a decision on the merits of the case but the procedure of the writs.
“The AFP respects that. The AFP is an institution that submits to the rule of law and bows down to the majesty of the courts,” he said. / gsg