INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) issued a protection writ to an environmental activist abducted last March, and his family.
In a resolution promulgated Sept. 9, but made public Wednesday, it issued a temporary protection order in favor of Francisco “Eco” Dangla III.
“A temporary protection order is issued an interim relief against respondents and all the persons and entities acting and operating under their directions, instructions, and orders, prohibiting them from entering within a radius of one kilometer of the persons, places of residence, work, or present locations, of petitioner, as well as those of his immediate family,” the SC said.
Named respondents in the case were the Commanding General of the Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, Commanding General of the 702nd Infrantry Brigade Brig. Gen. Gulliver L. Señires, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Regional Director of PNP Regional Office I Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista and Provincial Director of the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office Col. Jeff E. Fanged.
The SC also granted Dangla’s petition for a write of amparo and habeas data.
A writ of amparo is a remedy available to anyone whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened.
Meanwhile, a writ of habeas data is for those violated by the same persons through collecting or storing information regarding the aggrieved party.
The SC ordered the Court of Appeals to conduct a hearing immediately upon receipt of the resolution and decide on the case within 10 days from the time it is submitted for decision.
It required the Court of Appeals to submit a copy of its decision within five days after promulgation.
Dangla, along with another activist, Joxielle Tiong, was purportedly abducted by masked armed men in Pangasinan last March and resurfaced three days later.
Both of them led local campaigns against proposed black sand mining operations and other environmental issues in the province.