The Supreme Court building in Padre Faura, Manila on August 24, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Supreme Court issued writs of amparo and habeas data in favor of lawyer National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL)-Negros chairperson Rey Gorgonio and other activists in the Negros Island Region.
In its en banc session Wednesday, the high court issued a temporary protection order or TPO directing Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete and others not to go within one kilometer of the petitioners.
Antonio Nafarrete is new AFP chief
Aside from Gorgonio, petitioners include Joselito Macapobre, Analyn Mirano and Ma. Anabelle Ilustrismo.
“The SC also directed respondent military and law enforcement officers to file, within 10 days of receipt of the order, a verified return containing their lawful defenses and other relevant information, as well as their comment on the petition, before the Court of Appeals,” the high court said in a statement.
Last March, Gorgonio and development workers of Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group filed the petition for the writs of amparo and habeas data before the Supreme Court.
They said they were constantly harassed, surveilled and subjected to death threats by individuals believed to be military agents.
The Supreme Court noted that the petitioners alleged that they were red-tagged by the military and law enforcement agencies and falsely labeled as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army due to their human rights work in support of farmers and rural communities in Negros Island fighting for genuine agrarian reform.
The High Court further instructed the CA to conduct a summary hearing to determine whether the petitioners are entitled to the privileges of the writs of amparo and habeas data.
“The CA was directed to decide the case within 10 days of its submission for resolution,” the SC said in the statement.
RELATED STORIES:
New AFP chief Nafarrete vows to ‘stand our ground’ in West PH Sea
SC junks petition vs House impeach proceedings vs VP Sara
Very urgent motion to resolve cases on BARMM elections filed at SC; TRO pending resolution requested