Press Release
December 28, 2007

ROXAS LAUDS CA DECISION ON ABDUCTION OF FARMERS
URGES DND AND AFP TO IMMEDIATELY COMPLY WITH RULING

Senator Mar Roxas lauded the decision of the Court of Appeals linking certain military personnel and members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) to the abduction of farmers Reynaldo and Raymond Manalo in Bulacan.

Roxas, president of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, said the landmark decision asserts judicial authority and powers over rogue elements that have been responsible for the disappearances and extra judicial killings of activists and perceived members of the communist party and its organized fronts.

"The CA ruling must be upheld and the government must make sure that the defense establishment complies with the documentary evidence being asked by the appellate court," Roxas said, while stressing that a majority of the Armed Forces of the Philippines respect human rights.

Senator Roxas noted that government's compliance with the court's request for investigative reports and medical records to be submitted by the AFP within five days is a major milestone in wiping out the stigma on the Philippines as a country with poor observance of human rights.

"I am appealing to the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to immediately comply with the directive of the Court of Appeals," he added.

"This is an opportunity for the administration to prove its commitment to the rule of law and in correcting a grave injustice towards its citizens," the LP stalwart added.

In a decision on December 26, the court granted the Manalo brothers remedies, including the release of reports and medical records pertaining to them, after they petitioned for a writ of amparo. The writ of amparo requires respondents to take action to resolve a grievance and not merely deny the allegations against them.

The Manalo brothers, as per the appelate court's decision, were abducted in their house in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, on February 14, 2006. After they were able to escape from their captors last August, they sought protection from the Supreme Court, which then issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the DND and the AFP from arresting or violating the rights of the Manalo brothers. The TRO is still in effect.

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