LAWYERS LETTER TO THE EDITOR (tags)
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Davao City Chapter joins the Free Legal Assistance Group, the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in strongly condemning the inclusion of law-abiding citizens and members of the IBP and legitimate organizations in the so-called “Order of Battle” of the 10th Infantry Division (10th ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. What is the basis for including them in the list? The “Order of Battle” is nothing but a hit list of people the military has identified as “enemies of the state.” It makes the military the prosecutor, judge and executioner all at the same time. It is unconstitutional and repugnant to the rule of law and the democratic processes. It is a clear indication of the military’s utter disregard for human rights. It makes those in the list vulnerable and open targets for unreasonable and abusive soldiers; not only does the “Order of Battle” endanger the lives of those who are on the list, it also undermines their families’ peace of mind and sense of security.
PHILIPPINES: 2 desaparecidos escape from military captors (tags)
Two farm workers who claim to have been detained and tortured for a year-and-a-half by military men before managing to escape have petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) for protection. Represented by lawyers from the civil rights group Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag), the two brothers in their 13-page petition yesterday also asked the high tribunal to designate either an incumbent or retired SC justice to act as a commissioner and verify the allegations. The two brothers, Raymond, 26, and Reynaldo Manalo, 38, filed the suit for prohibition, injunction and temporary restraining order (TRO) through Flag lawyers Jose Manuel Diokno, Theodore Te and Ricardo Sunga.