MANILA, Philippines — A trial court in Bulacan has dismissed the terrorism case filed by the military against 34 activists for lack of probable cause.
In an 11-page order issued on Sept. 3 by Judge Julie Mercurio of the Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 12, among those cleared were Bayan Muna secretary general Nathaniel Santiago, Anasusa San Gabriel of the Bulacan Ecumenical forum, Assert Socio-Economic Initiatives Network convenor Rosario Gonzalez and Anakpawis campaign director Servillano Luna Jr.
The cases were filed by the Army’s 84th Infantry Battalion based in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, implicating the defendants in an armed encounter that killed a soldier.
The court said the complainants failed to prove that the people involved in the firefight were the 34 activists.
“The complainants did not specifically identify who among the 34 accused shot them,” Mercurio said in the ruling.