MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is facing a P15-million damage suit for the alleged wrongful detention of 43 health workers suspected of being New People’s Army rebels during her administration.
Her co-defendants include retired Armed Forces chiefs Delfin Bangit and Victor Ibrado, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, Gen. Jorge Segovia, Col. Victorino Zaragoza, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Col. Aurelio Baladad, Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, and Superintendents Marion Balolong and Allan Nubleza.
In a resolution dated Sept. 30, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 226 has ordered the Pampanga lawmaker and her co-defendants to answer the civil suit of the health workers known as the “Morong 43.”
The 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.
They were detained last year in Morong, Rizal, but President Aquino ordered their release in December last year on the recommendation of the Department of Justice.
Judge Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla denied the Morong 43’s application for a writ of preliminary attachment to hold the defendants’ assets worth P15 million.
“While this court is well aware that plaintiffs’ burden of showing the defendants’ state of mind is difficult under the circumstances, still, a mere suspicion that there is a possibility of flight by the defendants to avoid any liability... is not sufficient for a writ of preliminary attachment to issue,” read the court order.
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