MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was charged with torture and robbery allegedly committed against 43 health workers suspected of being New People’s Army rebels in 2010.
In a statement, Arroyo said the case could be an opportunity for her to clear her name.
Charged with Arroyo at the Department of Justice (DOJ) were top military and police officials, including retired Armed Forces chief Victor Ibrado and retired Army chief Delfin Bangit.
Other respondents are Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia, Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Col. Joel Reyes, Superintendents Marion Balonglong and Allan Nobleza, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Lt. Jovilee Cabading, Vicente Lopez, and certain Calaoagan, Bulaklak, and Idloy.
Baladad, Balonglong and Nobleza were also charged with robbery.
The respondents were accused of taking the complainants’ cellular phones, wallet, laptop, ATM and credit cards, digital camera, flash disk, earrings, clothes, an LCD projector, and cash amounting to P25,000. – With Paolo Romero