CA pressed on writ of amparo vs Cagayan’s Mamba clan

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) has been asked to order government agencies to enforce its order for protection of alleged human rights victims of the influential Mamba clan in Cagayan province. 

Marites Bueno, mother of one of the four minors allegedly tortured in 2009 on suspicion of theft and upon orders of members of the Mamba political clan, decried the supposed lack of action by authorities on the writ of amparo issued by the CA. 

“In the interest of substantial justice, we are appealing to the Court of Appeals to fully implement its writ of amparo issued against the respondent public officials and individuals,” she told reporters in Manila yesterday.

 â€œWe went to the Court of Appeals and defeated them (Francisco and William Mamba) there but until now, we have yet to see action on my son’s torture case,” she said.

Francisco Mamba is the mayor-elect of Tuao, Cagayan. His brother, William, ran under the ruling Liberal Party in the Cagayan gubernatorial race but lost to incumbent Gov. Alvaro Antonio.

Both were named respondents along with their men in the torture case involving the four minors, including two brothers, aged 13 to 17 at the time of the alleged incident in 2009. 

In January 2010, the CA decided in favor of Bueno and issued the writ.

In its ruling, the CA said there is no doubt that Bueno’s son is covered by the “protective mantle” of the writ of amparo, “as, in the minimum, his liberty and security were violated by the offending public officers and individuals.” 

Criminal cases filed against the Mambas before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the Custodial Violation Act, violation of Republic Act 7610, grave illegal detention, grave threats and coercion, however, have remain undecided. 

Last Thursday, in a gathering at the Arranz Grandstand in Tuguegarao City, the alleged victims recounted stories of torture they allegedly suffered at the hands of the Mamba brothers’ men while supposedly detained in William’s house.

They recalled how they were allegedly beaten up and kicked, suffocated with clear plastic bags, metal wires placed in their private parts, and wax from burning candles made to drip on their bodies while being made to “confess” allegedly in the presence of Francisco Mamba. 

During the event, other residents from the province also took to the stage to accuse the Mambas of other alleged “injustices” such as land grabbing, intimidation, and grave threats, among others, all of which were formalized in sworn affidavits.

The Mamba clan has held the reins of Tuao town in Cagayan for three generations. 

Apart from Francisco and William, there are other Mambas in government. Manuel Mamba, the most senior family member, heads the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office as a presidential appointee. His wife, Mabel Villarica-Mamba, is a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office commissioner.