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 military said Friday that they will defend the torture charges filed by members of the “Morong 43” against former President, now Pampanga representative, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and several former and present officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We have evidence that there was no torture committed” against the “Morong 43” by the military, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, AFP Spokesman, said in a press briefing Friday.
“We will do everything to come up with the best defense for our soldiers who are just performing their duties and responsibilities, and who have attested that there was no torture committed,” he said.
The “Morong 43” were a group of health workers that were conducting a community health service in Morong, Rizal on February 6, 2010 when they were arrested by a joint military and police operation on the basis of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The health workers were accused of conducting a bomb-making training session and they claimed that the firearms and explosives found in their possession were planted by the soldiers who conducted the raid.
The health workers claimed they were tortured and abused in Camp Capinpin Tanay, Rizal where they were detained.
“The accusers will have to prove in the proper forum these charges and we are confident that the truth shall come out for we believe in our justice system,” Burgos said.
The 25-page complaint filed Thursday before the Department of Justice included Arroyo, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado, former Army chief General Delfin Bangit, Major General Jorge Segovia, Brigadier General Aurelio Baladad, Army Colonels Joey Reyes and Cristobal Zaragosa, and Police Superintendents Marion Balonglong and Allan Nobleza.
Other respondents were Major Manuel Tabon, Lieutenant Jovilee Cabading, a certain Vicente Lopez, female guards identified only as Calaoagan, Cea and Idloy, a certain Bulaklak, a John Doe, Jane Doe and Mickey Doe.
The complaint was filed by Doctors Merry Mia Clamor and Alexis Montes, registered nurse Gary Liberal, registered midwife Ma. Teresa Quinawayan and community health workers Mercy Castro, Reynaldo Macabenta, Jane Balleta and Samson Castillo.
Burgos said that the respondents in the military “are innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law” and that “they were only executing a warrant of arrest issued by the civilian court.”
“The AFP is under obligation to provide legal assistance to our personnel,” Burgos said.
He said that the AFP has “long condemned” torture and that they “strictly adhere to the principle of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.”