6 of ‘Morong 43’ sue Arroyo, 10 others

Six of the 43 persons claiming to be health workers who were detained for 10 months by the military on charges of being members of the New People’s Army on Thursday applied for a writ of preliminary attachment to the civil action, asking for P15 million in damages in a suit filed against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 10 security officials.

A writ of preliminary attachment will authorize the court to order the seizing of the defendants’ properties “as security for damages” while the civil case is being heard, said Atty. Ephraim Cortez, counsel for Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, Gary Liberal, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Makabenta and Mercy Castro who were among the group collectively known as “Morong 43” subsequently freed by President Benigno Aquino III.

The damage suit, filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 226 in April, seeks damages from Mrs. Arroyo, former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales, former Armed Forces chief of staff General Victor Ibrado, General Delfin N. Bangit, former commander of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) General Jorge Segovia, commander of the intelligence unit of the 2nd IDPA Lieutenant Colonel Cristobal Zaragosa, 2nd IDPA Warden Major Manuel Tabion, commander of the 202nd Infantry Battalion (IB) Colonel Aurelio Baladad, 16th IBPA commander Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Abawag, and Rizal Provincial Police Office commander Police Superintendent Marion Balolong.

At Thursday’s hearing, Cortez told Judge Ma. Luisa C. Quijano-Padilla that the six individuals were applying for a writ of attachment because the defendants “might abscond.”

Padilla countered that it was unlikely that Arroyo, being an elected Pampanga representative, would flee the country. But Cortes said the political climate was “unstable” and “there’s no way of holding the defendants.”

The civil case seeks payment of damages for torture, violation of constitutional and statutory right, moral damages and recompense for Arroyo’s alleged neglect of duty when the 43 persons were “illegally” arrested in Morong, Rizal in February 2010.