Maza joins PROBE into sexual abuse of Morong 43 women
Submitted by mkbyn on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 12:03am
Makabayan-Nacionalista senatorial candidate Liza Maza joined women lawyers, lawmakers, and families of the 26 women health workers in detention in Camp Capinpin in order to probe deeper into the allegations of sexual abuse.
Maza is joined by Senators Jamby Madrigal and Loren Legarda, women lawyers Alnie Foja and Evalyn Ursua, relatives led by Ofel Balleta, and women leaders of Gabriela.
The Gabriela solon also denounced the Armed Forces of the Philippines' announcement that the officials who illegally arrested and detained the Morong 43 will be awarded the Bronze Cross Medal, in a press conference in Quezon City today.
"It is such a shame that our military cannot anymore distinguish between right and wrong and are even allowed to mock our laws and justice system by hailing gross human rights violations as 'acts of heroism'. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is in serious need of a quick morality check," Maza said.
According to Maza, Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, commander of the 16th Infantry Battalion, and Col. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, violated several rules of criminal procedure, including the arrest of the Morong 43 without a valid warrant. The elements of the military and police who participated in the arrest also applied unnecessary violence such as when they forced their way inside the training facility and even held the caretaker at gunpoint.
"They broke the law. They should be suspended at the minimum. Their acts should not be tolerated as they could set a bad example to their subordinates," Maza said.
Maza also expressed high hope that the Court of Appeals will uphold the rights of the so-called Morong 43.
“I expect the release of the Morong 43 anytime soon, as it is my hope that the second highest court of the land will not tolerate such brute exercise and abuse of authority by the military via illegal search, warrantless arrests, and illegal detention due to baseless accusations,” Maza said.
The three term representative of Gabriela will file a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the Committee on Human Rights to conduct an immediate investigation on the alleged torture of the 43 health workers, including the apparent sexual abuse and indignity committed against the women.
“Whatever the decision of the court may be, we will pursue justice for the gross violation of the human rights of the Morong 43,” Maza said. #
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