SC defers ruling on activist's petition

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has deferred its ruling on a petition seeking to hold several military officials liable for the alleged kidnapping and torture of Filipina-American activist Melissa Roxas in 2009 despite adverse findings by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

In an 11-page resolution, the SC opted to first wait for the results of the parallel investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) before ruling on Roxas’ petition for the issuance of a writ of amparo.

While the CHR investigation failed to sufficiently establish the identities of those behind the alleged kidnapping and torture, the SC said Roxas’ petition for a writ of amparo and habeas data against key military officials should not be dismissed outright pending the PNP probe.

“Dismissing the case right now may send the wrong message that any further inquiries as to the abduction and torture of petitioner must ipso facto (by the fact itself) be considered closed or terminated. It must be emphasized that the respondents, or their successors, remain accountable, even though still not found to be responsible,” the SC said.

Roxas named former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former Armed Forces chief Victor Ibrado, former PNP chief Jesus Versoza, former Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, and Superintendent Rudy Gamido Lacadin, Tarlac police director, as respondents in her petition.