Burgos v. Macapagal-Arroyo (2010)
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635 Phil. 465 EN BANC [ G.R. No. 183711, June 22, 2010 ] EDITA T. BURGOS, PETITIONER, VS. PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGALARROYO, GEN. HERMOGENES ESPERON, JR., LT. GEN. ROMEO P. TOLENTINO, MAJ. GEN. JUANITO GOMEZ, MAJ. GEN. DELFIN BANGIT, LT. COL. NOEL CLEMENT, LT. COL. MELQUIADES FELICIANO, AND DIRECTOR GENERAL OSCAR CALDERON, RESPONDENTS. [G.R. NO. 183712] EDITA T. BURGOS, PETITIONER, VS. PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGALARROYO, GEN. HERMOGENES ESPERON, JR., LT. GEN. ROMEO P. TOLENTINO, MAJ. GEN. JUANITO GOMEZ, LT. COL. MELQUIADES FELICIANO, AND LT. COL. NOEL CLEMENT, RESPONDENTS. [G.R. NO. 183713] EDITA T. BURGOS, PETITIONER, VS. CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES; GEN. HERMOGENES ESPERON, JR.; COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY, LT. GEN. ALEXANDER YANO; AND CHIEF OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, DIRECTOR GENERAL AVELINO RAZON, JR., RESPONDENTS. RESOLUTION BRION, J.: On July 17, 2008, the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a decision [1] in the consolidated petitions for the Issuance of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, [2] for Contempt [3] and for the Issuance of a Writ of Amparo [4] filed by petitioner Edita T. Burgos on behalf of her son Jonas Joseph T. Burgos, who was forcibly taken and abducted by a group of four men and by a woman from the extension portion of Hapag Kainan Restaurant, located at the ground floor of Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, on April 28, 2007. This CA decision [5] dismissed the petitioner's petition for the Issuance of the Writ of Habeas Corpus; denied the petitioner's motion to declare the respondents in contempt; and partially granted the privilege of the Writ of Amparo in favor of the petitioner. The Antecedents The established facts, as found by the CA, are summarized below: [6] The established facts show that at around one o'clock in the afternoon of April 28, 2007, Jonas Joseph T. Burgos a farmer advocate and a member of Kilusang Magbubukid sa Bulacan (a chapter of the militant peasant organization Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas) was forcibly taken and abducted by a group of four (4) men and a woman from the extension portion of Hapag Kainan Restaurant, located at the ground floor of Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. On his way out of the restaurant, Jonas told the manager, "Ma'am aktibista lang po ako!" When a security guard tried to intervene, after he noticed that the group was forcibly dragging a male person out of the restaurant, he was told, "Pare, pulis!" The guard then backed off but was able to see that Jonas was forced into the rear portion of a plain maroon colored Toyota Revo with plate number TAB 194. The guard then noted the plate number and reported the incident to his superiors as well as to the police on duty in the said mall. On April 30, 2007, the petitioner held a press conference and announced that her son Jonas was missing. That same day, the petitioner sought confirmation from the guard if the person abducted was her son Jonas. Upon subsequent police investigation and LTO verification, it was discovered that plate number TAB 194 was registered to a 1991 Isuzu XLT vehicle owned by a certain Mauro B. Mudlong. It was also later confirmed by employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that Mudlong was arrested and his 1991 Isuzu XLT vehicle was seized on June 24, 2006 by Cpl. Castro Bugalan and Pfc. Jose Villeסa of the 56 th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army for transporting timber without permit. As agreed upon by the DENR employees and officers of the 56 th IB, the vehicle with the license plate no. TAB 194 was impounded in the 56 th IB headquarters whose commanding officer at that time was Lt. Col. Noel Clement. The established facts also show that Lt. Col. Clement and the soldiers of the 56 th IB went on retraining at the Headquarters of the First Scout Rangers Regiment (Camp Tecson) in Brgy. Tartaro, San Miguel, Bulacan starting November 28, 2006. A "leftbehind force" or a squad remained in the camp of the 56 th IB to secure the premises and equipment as it awaited the arrival of the 69 th IB, headed by Lt. Col. Edison Caga, which took over the 56 th IB's area of responsibility for the duration of the retraining. The 69 th IB arrived at Camp Tecson on December 1, 2006, and remained there until March 7, 2007, when the 56 th IB returned. There was no formal turnover or inventory of equipment and vehicles when the 69 th IB arrived on December 1, 2006. Meanwhile, on January 17, 2007, Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano took command of the 56 th IB from Lt. Col. Clement. The actual turnover of command took place at Camp Tecson where the 56 th IB was retraining. At the time Jonas was abducted on April 28, 2007, Lt. Col. Feliciano was the 56 th IB's commanding officer. Earlier, on March 23, 2007, 2 nd Lt. Dick A. Abletes, a member of the 56 th IB, was caught on video talking to two persons, a male and a female, at McDonald's Bocaue. In the video, he was seen handing a document to the two
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635Phil.465
ENBANC
[G.R.No.183711,June22,2010]
EDITAT.BURGOS,PETITIONER,VS.PRESIDENTGLORIAMACAPAGALARROYO,GEN.HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.,LT.GEN.ROMEOP.TOLENTINO,MAJ.GEN.JUANITOGOMEZ,MAJ.GEN.DELFINBANGIT,LT.COL.NOELCLEMENT,LT.COL.MELQUIADESFELICIANO,ANDDIRECTORGENERALOSCARCALDERON,
RESPONDENTS.
[G.R.NO.183712]
EDITAT.BURGOS,PETITIONER,VS.PRESIDENTGLORIAMACAPAGALARROYO,GEN.HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.,LT.GEN.ROMEOP.TOLENTINO,MAJ.GEN.JUANITOGOMEZ,LT.COL.MELQUIADES
FELICIANO,ANDLT.COL.NOELCLEMENT,RESPONDENTS.
[G.R.NO.183713]
EDITAT.BURGOS,PETITIONER,VS.CHIEFOFSTAFFOFTHEARMEDFORCESOFTHEPHILIPPINESGEN.HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.COMMANDINGGENERALOFTHEPHILIPPINEARMY,LT.GEN.ALEXANDERYANOANDCHIEFOFTHEPHILIPPINENATIONALPOLICE,DIRECTORGENERALAVELINORAZON,JR.,
RESPONDENTS.
RESOLUTION
BRION,J.:
OnJuly17,2008,theCourtofAppeals(CA)issuedadecision[1] intheconsolidatedpetitionsfortheIssuanceoftheWritofHabeasCorpus,[2]forContempt[3]andfortheIssuanceofaWritofAmparo[4] filedbypetitionerEditaT.BurgosonbehalfofhersonJonasJosephT.Burgos,whowasforciblytakenandabductedbyagroupoffourmenandbyawomanfromtheextensionportionofHapagKainanRestaurant,locatedatthegroundfloorofEverGotescoMall,CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity,onApril28,2007.ThisCAdecision[5]dismissedthepetitioner'spetitionfortheIssuanceoftheWritofHabeasCorpusdeniedthepetitioner'smotiontodeclaretherespondentsincontemptandpartiallygrantedtheprivilegeoftheWritofAmparoinfavorofthepetitioner.
TheAntecedents
Theestablishedfacts,asfoundbytheCA,aresummarizedbelow:[6]
Theestablishedfactsshowthatataroundoneo'clockintheafternoonofApril28,2007,JonasJosephT.BurgosafarmeradvocateandamemberofKilusangMagbubukidsaBulacan(achapterofthemilitantpeasantorganizationKilusangMagbubukidngPilipinas) was forcibly takenandabductedbyagroupof four(4)menandawoman fromtheextensionportionofHapagKainanRestaurant,locatedatthegroundfloorofEverGotescoMall,CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity.Onhiswayoutoftherestaurant,Jonastoldthemanager, "Ma'am aktibista lang po ako!" When a security guard tried to intervene, after he noticed that the group was forciblydraggingamalepersonoutoftherestaurant,hewastold,"Pare,pulis!"TheguardthenbackedoffbutwasabletoseethatJonaswasforcedintotherearportionofaplainmarooncoloredToyotaRevowithplatenumberTAB194.Theguardthennotedtheplatenumberandreportedtheincidenttohissuperiorsaswellastothepoliceondutyinthesaidmall.
OnApril30,2007,thepetitionerheldapressconferenceandannouncedthathersonJonaswasmissing.Thatsameday,thepetitionersought confirmation from the guard if the person abducted was her son Jonas. Upon subsequent police investigation and LTOverification, itwasdiscovered thatplatenumberTAB194was registered toa1991IsuzuXLTvehicleownedbyacertainMauroB.Mudlong.ItwasalsolaterconfirmedbyemployeesoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)thatMudlongwasarrestedandhis1991IsuzuXLTvehiclewasseizedonJune24,2006byCpl.CastroBugalanandPfc.JoseVilleaofthe56thInfantryBattalion(IB)ofthePhilippineArmyfortransportingtimberwithoutpermit.AsagreeduponbytheDENRemployeesandofficersofthe56thIB,thevehiclewiththelicenseplateno.TAB194wasimpoundedinthe56thIBheadquarterswhosecommandingofficeratthattimewasLt.Col.NoelClement.
TheestablishedfactsalsoshowthatLt.Col.Clementandthesoldiersofthe56thIBwentonretrainingattheHeadquartersoftheFirstScoutRangersRegiment(CampTecson)inBrgy.Tartaro,SanMiguel,BulacanstartingNovember28,2006.A"leftbehindforce"orasquadremainedinthecampofthe56thIBtosecurethepremisesandequipmentasitawaitedthearrivalofthe69thIB,headedbyLt.Col.EdisonCaga,whichtookoverthe56thIB'sareaofresponsibilityforthedurationoftheretraining.The69thIBarrivedatCampTecsononDecember1,2006,andremainedthereuntilMarch7,2007,whenthe56thIBreturned.Therewasnoformalturnoverorinventoryofequipmentandvehicleswhenthe69thIBarrivedonDecember1,2006.
Meanwhile,onJanuary17,2007,Lt.Col.MelquiadesFelicianotookcommandofthe56thIBfromLt.Col.Clement.TheactualturnoverofcommandtookplaceatCampTecsonwherethe56thIBwasretraining.AtthetimeJonaswasabductedonApril28,2007,Lt.Col.Felicianowasthe56thIB'scommandingofficer.Earlier,onMarch23,2007,2ndLt.DickA.Abletes,amemberofthe56thIB,wascaughtonvideotalkingtotwopersons,amaleandafemale,atMcDonald'sBocaue.Inthevideo,hewasseenhandingadocumenttothetwo
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persons.OnMarch26,2007,2ndLt.AbleteswasarrestedandchargesweresoonfiledagainsthimwiththeJudgeAdvocateGeneralforviolationsofArticles82,96and97oftheArticlesofWar.
PriortoJonas'abduction,Mudlong's1991IsuzuXLTvehicleremainedimpoundedatthe56thIB'sHeadquarters.InMay2007,rightafterJonas'abductionwasmadepublic,itwasdiscoveredthatplatenumberTAB194ofthis1991IsuzuXLTvehiclewasmissing,andtheengineandothersparepartswere"cannibalized."
Ondirectexamination,thepetitionertestifiedbeforetheCAthatthepolicewasabletogeneratecartographicsketchesoftwo(onemaleandonefemale)oftheabductorsofJonasbasedonitsinterviewofeyewitnesses.[7]ThepetitionernarratedfurtherthatthesecartographicsketcheswereidentifiedbyStateProsecutorEmmanuelVelascooftheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)thatwhenshewenttoseeStateProsecutorVelascopersonally,hegaveher"fivenames"whowereallegedlyinvolvedintheabductionofJonas(namelyT/Sgt. JasonRoxas,Cpl. JoanaFrancisco,M/Sgt.AronArroyo,and1stLt. JaimeMendaros)[8] and that the information fromStateProsecutor Velasco's sources corroborated the same information she received earlier fromher own sources.[9] The petitioner alsotestifiedthatnothingcameoutoftheinformationgivenbyStateProsecutorVelascobecausehewas"pulledoutfromtheinvestigationbytheDOJSecretary,"[10]andthatthepolice,particularlyP/Supt.JonnelC.Estomo,failedtoinvestigateandactupontheseleads.[11]
OnAugust30,2007,P/Supt.Estomo (the lead investigator in the investigation conductedby thePhilippineNationalPoliceCriminalInvestigationandDetectionGroup[PNPCIDG]) testifiedbefore theCA thathedidnot investigateor look into the identitiesof thecartographicsketchesofthetwoabductorsprovidedbythePNPCriminalInvestigationUnit,QuezonCity.[12]P/Supt.EstomotestifiedfurtherthatheshowedthephotosofCpl.BugalanandPfc.VilleatowitnessLarryMarquezforidentificationbutfailedtoshowanyphotosoftheotherofficersandmenofthe56thIB.[13]Finally,P/Supt.EstomoalsotestifiedthathedidnotpropoundanyclarificatoryquestionsregardingthedisappearanceofJonasBurgostoLt.Cols.Feliciano,Clement,andCagaofthe56thIBwhomerelyvoluntarilysubmittedtheirstatements.[14]
On August 29, 2007, the PNPCIDG presented Emerito Lipio @ KA TIBO/KA CRIS, Marlon D. Manuel @ KA CARLO, and MelissaConcepcionReyes@KALISA/RAMILtosupportthetheorythatelementsoftheNewPeople'sArmy(NPA)perpetratedtheabductionofJonas.[15]InhisSwornStatement,LipioadmittedthatheisamemberoftheCommunistPartyofthePhilippines(CPP)/NPAandthattheNPAwasbehind theabductionof Jonas. Lipio revealed that Jonas isknownas@KARAMON in thecommunistmovement. Heclaimed further that he and@KA RAMON belonged to the Bulacan Party Committee, assigned to theWhite Area Committee doingintelligenceworkforthemovementundertheleadershipofDelfindeGuzman@KABASTE,andthat@KARAMONwastheirpoliticalinstructorandheadoftheintelligenceunitintheprovince.[16]
SometimeearlyAprilof2007,Lipiowaspresentinameetingbetween@[email protected],thetwohadaheated argument. For this reason,@KA BASTE instructed Lipio to place@KA RAMON under surveillance as they suspected him ofpilferingfundsfromthepartyandofactingasamilitaryagent.[17]
Lipiofurtheraverredthatuponinstructionof@KABASTE,heandacertain@KACARLOproceededtoEverGotescoMallonApril28,2007tomonitorthereportedmeetingbetween@KARAMONandotherpartymembers.Atoneo'clockintheafternoon,Lipioand@KACARLO(whostationedthemselvesneartheentrance/exitofthemall)sawaman,whotheyrecognizedas@KARAMON,forciblytakenby fourmen, brought outside of themall, and shoved inside a Toyota Revo. Lipio further alleged that he recognized two of theabductorsas"@KADANTE"and"@KAENSO"whoheclaimstobemembersoftheCPP/NPA'sguerillaunit(RYG).[18]
InhisSwornStatement,ManuelaffirmedandsubstantiatedLipio'sstatementthat@KARAMONandJonasareoneandthesamepersonand that he is a member of the communist movement in Bulacan. Manuel also corroborated Lipio's statement regarding thecircumstancesoftheabductionof@KARAMONatEverGotescoMallonApril28,2007heconfirmedthatheand@KATIBOwitnessedtheabduction.[19]
Reyes,arebelreturnee,providedinherSwornStatementadditionalmaterialinformationregardingthedisappearanceofJonas.Reyesallegedthatshewassupposedtomeetwith@KARAMONandanothercomradeinthemovement(whomsheidentifiedas@KAJO)todiscussthepossibilityofarrangingameetingwithacontactinthemilitary.Sheaverredthatshemet@KAJOatabout11:30a.m.attheBaliaugTransitTerminal,CubaoenroutetoEverGotescomallwheretheywouldmeetwithacertain@KARAMON.ReyesfurthernarratedthattheyarrivedaboutnoonatEverGotescomall@KAJOleftheratMcDonald'[email protected],@KAJOarrivedwithout@KARAMONandtoldReyestogohomeandjustkeepintouchthroughtextmessaging.Reyesallegedfurtherthatshehasnotheardfrom@KAJOsince.[20]
TheCAFindings
InitsJuly17,2008decision,theCAfoundthattheevidencethepetitionerpresentedfailedtoestablishherclaimeddirectconnectionbetweentheabductorsofJonasandthemilitary.TheCAnotedthattheevidencedoesnotshowhowlicenseplatenumberTAB194(supposedlyattached to the1991 IsuzuXLTvehicle impoundedat the56th IBHeadquarters) came tobeattached to thegetawayToyotaRevoonApril28,2007,andwhetherthetwolicenseplatesareoneandthesameatall.TheCAemphasizedthattheevidencedoesnotindicatewhethertheabductorsaremembersofthemilitaryorthepoliceorareciviliansiftheyarecivilians,whethertheyactedontheirownorwerefollowingorders,andinthelattercase,fromwhom.
TheCAalsofoundthattheinvestigationsbytheArmedForcesofthePhilippines(AFP)andthePNP"leavemuchtobedesiredastheydidnotfullyexerttheirefforttounearththetruthandtobringtherealculpritsbeforethebarofjustice."[21]TheCAheldthatsincethepetitioner has established that the vehicle used in the abduction was linked to a vehicle (with license plate number TAB 194)impoundedattheheadquartersofthe56thIB, itbecametheburdenoftheAFPtoexerciseextraordinarydiligencetodeterminethewhyandthewhereforeofthelossofthelicenseplateintheircustodyanditsappearanceinavehicle(amaroonToyotaRevo)usedin
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Jonas'abduction.TheCAalsoruledthattheAFPhastheburdenof"connect[ing]certainlooseends"[22]regardingtheidentityof@KaRamon(asreferredtobythepetitioner'switnesses)andtheallegationthat@KaRamonisindeedJonasinthe"OrderofBattle."
AsforthePNPCIDG,theCAbrandeditsinvestigationas"rathershallow"and"conductedhaphazardly."TheCAtooknotethatP/Supt.Estomo'sinvestigationmerelydelvedintotheadministrativeliabilityofLt.Col.Clement,Lt.Col.FelicianoandLt.Col.Cagaofthe56thIB,andfailedtoconsiderthemassuspectsintheabductionofJonas.TheCAemphasizedthatthePNPCIDG'sinvestigationshouldfocus on the criminal aspect of the present case pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6975, which mandates the PNP to"investigateandpreventcrimes,effectthearrestofcriminaloffenders,bringoffenderstojusticeandassistintheirprosecution."
TheCAalsofoundP/Supt.Estomo'srecommendationthatappropriatechargesbefiledagainstMauroMudlong(registeredowneroftheimpounded1991IsuzuXLTvehiclewithplatelicenseno.TAB194)tobewithoutanyfactualbasissincenoevidencewaspresentedtoconnectthelattertothelossofthelicenseplateaswellastotheabductionofJonas.TheCAstressedthatitcouldnotfindanyvalidreasonwhyMudlongshouldbetreatedanydifferentlyfromthethree56thIBcolonelswhomthePNPCIDGdidnotconsiderassuspectsdespitetheestablishedfactthatlicenseplateno.TAB194waslostwhileintheircustody.
OnthePNPCIDG'snew information fromLipiowhoclaimedtohaveseenJonasbeingabductedbyacertain @KADANTEand@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG,andonMarlonManuel,whocorroboratedLipio'sstatements,theCAheldthatstepsshouldbetakenbythePNPCIDGtoverifytheveracityofthesestatements.Notwithstandingthenewinformation,theCAnotedthatthePNPCIDG should not discount the possible involvement of members of the AFP. Thus, the CA concluded that the PNP must exertextraordinarydiligenceinfollowingallpossibleleadstoresolvethecrimecommittedagainstJonas.Finally,theCAnotedbasedontheCertificationissuedbytheAssistantChiefStateProsecutor,DOJdatedMarch5,2008thatnocasehasbeenreferredbythePNPtotheDOJforpreliminary investigation inrelationtotheabductionanddisappearanceofJonas. This iscontrarytoPNP'smanifestrepresentation that it had already forwarded all pertinent and relevant documents to the DOJ for the filing of appropriate chargesagainstthesuspects(i.e.,@KADANTEand@KAENSO).
TheCAalsoheld that thepetitions forhabeascorpusandcontemptasagainstPresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyomustbedroppedsincesheenjoystheprivilegeofimmunityfromsuit.TheCAruledthatthePresident'simmunityfromsuitisasettleddoctrinecitingDavidv.Arroyo.[23]
OurRuling
ConsideringthefindingsoftheCAandourreviewoftherecordsofthepresentcase,weconcludethatthePNPandtheAFPhavesofarfailedtoconductanexhaustiveandmeaningfulinvestigationintothedisappearanceofJonasBurgos,andtoexercisetheextraordinarydiligence (in the performance of their duties) that the Rule on the Writ of Amparo requires. Because of these investigativeshortcomings,wecannotruleonthecaseuntilamoremeaningfulinvestigation,usingextraordinarydiligence,isundertaken.
Fromtherecords,wenotethatthereareverysignificantlapsesinthehandlingoftheinvestigationamongthemthePNPCIDG'sfailureto identifythecartographicsketchesoftwo(onemaleandonefemale)ofthefiveabductorsofJonasbasedontheirinterviewofeyewitnessestotheabduction.This lapse isbasedonthe informationprovidedtothepetitionerbyno lessthanStateProsecutorEmmanuelVelascooftheDOJwhoidentifiedthepersonswhowerepossiblyinvolvedintheabduction,namely:T/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PhilippineArmy),Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(PhilippineAirForce),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PhilippineAirForce),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheAFP.[24]NosearchandcertificationwereevermadeonwhetherthesepersonswereAFPpersonnelorinotherbranchesoftheservice,suchasthePhilippineAirForce.Astestifiedtoby the petitioner, no significant follow through was also made by the PNPCIDG in ascertaining the identities of the cartographicsketchesoftwooftheabductorsdespitetheevidentiaryleadsprovidedbyStateProsecutorVelascooftheDOJ.Notably, thePNPCIDG,astheleadinvestigatingagencyinthepresentcase,didnotappeartohaveliftedafingertopursuetheseaspectsofthecase.
Wenote,too,thatnoindependentinvestigationappearedtohavebeenmadebythePNPCIDGtoinquireintotheveracityofLipio'sandManuel'sclaimsthatJonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEandacertain@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG.TherecordsdonotindicatewhetherthePNPCIDGconductedafollowupinvestigationtodeterminetheidentitiesandwhereaboutsof@KADanteand@KAENSO. Theseomissionswereaggravatedby theCA finding that thePNPhasyet to referanycase forpreliminaryinvestigationtotheDOJdespiteitsrepresentationbeforetheCAthatithadforwardedallpertinentandrelevantdocumentstotheDOJforthefilingofappropriatechargesagainst@KADANTEand@KAENSO.
Based on these considerations, we conclude that further investigation and monitoring should be undertaken. Whilesignificant leads have been provided to investigators, the investigations by the PNPCIDG, the AFP ProvostMarshal, and even theCommission on Human Rights (CHR) have been less than complete. The PNPCIDG's investigation particularly leaves much to bedesiredintermsoftheextraordinarydiligencethattheRuleontheWritofAmparorequires.Forthisreason,weresolvetoreferthepresentcasetotheCHRastheCourt'sdirectlycommissionedagencytaskedwiththecontinuationoftheinvestigationoftheBurgosabductionandthegatheringofevidence,withtheobligationtoreportitsfactualfindingsandrecommendationstothisCourt.WetakeintoconsiderationinthisregardthattheCHRisaspecializedandindependentagencycreatedandempoweredbytheConstitutiontoinvestigateall formsofhuman rightsviolations involvingcivil andpolitical rightsand toprovideappropriate legalmeasures for theprotectionofhumanrightsofallpersonswithinthePhilippines.[25]
Underthismandate,theCHRistaskedtoconductappropriateinvestigativeproceedings,includingfieldinvestigationsactingastheCourt'sdirectlycommissionedagencyforpurposesoftheRuleontheWritofAmparowiththetasksof:(a)ascertainingtheidentitiesof the persons appearing in the cartographic sketches of the two alleged abductors aswell as theirwhereabouts (b) determiningbasedonrecords,pastandpresent, the identitiesand locationsof thepersons identifiedbyStateProsecutorVelascoallegedtobeinvolved intheabductionofJonas,namely:T/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PhilippineArmy)Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(PhilippineAirForce),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PhilippineAirForce),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheAFPfurtherproceedingsandinvestigations,asmaybenecessary,shouldbemadetopursuetheleadallegedlyprovidedbyStateProsecutorVelascoontheidentitiesofthepossibleabductors(c) inquiringintotheveracityofLipio'sandManuel'sclaims
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thatJonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEand@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG(d)determiningbasedonrecords,pastandpresent,aswellasfurtherinvestigation,theidentitiesandwhereaboutsof@KADANTEand@KAENSOand(e)undertakingallmeasures,intheinvestigationoftheBurgosabductionthatmaybenecessarytoliveuptotheextraordinarymeasureswerequireinaddressinganenforceddisappearanceundertheRuleontheWritofAmparo.
WHEREFORE,intheinterestofjusticeandfortheforegoingreasons,theCourtRESOLVESto:
(1)DIRECTtheCommissiononHumanRightstoconductappropriateinvestigativeproceedings,includingfieldinvestigationsactingastheCourt'sdirectlycommissionedagencyforpurposesoftheRuleontheWritofAmparowiththetasksof:(a)ascertainingtheidentitiesofthecartographicsketchesoftwooftheabductorsaswellastheirwhereabouts(b)determiningbasedonrecords,pastandpresent,theidentitiesandlocationsofthepersonsidentifiedbyStateProsecutorVelascoallegedtobeinvolvedintheabductionofJonasnamely:T/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PhilippineArmy),Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(PhilippineAirForce),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PhilippineAirForce),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesfurtherproceedingsandinvestigations,asmaybenecessary,shouldbemadetopursuetheleadallegedlyprovidedbyStateProsecutorVelascoontheidentitiesofthepossibleabductors(c)inquiringintotheveracityofLipio'sandManuel'sclaimsthatJonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEand@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG(d)determiningbasedonrecords,pastandpresent,aswellasfurtherinvestigation,theidentitiesandwhereaboutsof@KADANTEand@KAENSOand(e)undertakingallmeasures,intheinvestigationoftheBurgosabduction,thatmaybenecessarytoliveuptotheextraordinarymeasureswerequireinaddressinganenforceddisappearanceundertheRuleontheWritofAmparo
(2)REQUIREtheincumbentChiefsoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesandthePhilippineNationalPolicetomakeavailableandtoprovide copies, to the Commission on Human Rights, of all documents and records in their possession and as the Commission onHuman Rightsmay require, relevant to the case of Jonas Joseph T. Burgos, subject to reasonable regulations consistent with theConstitutionandexistinglaws
(3) DIRECT the PNPCIDG and its incumbent Chief to submit to theCommission onHumanRights the records and results of theinvestigation the PNPCIDG claimed to have forwarded to the Department of Justice, which were not included in their previoussubmissionstotheCommissiononHumanRights,includingsuchrecordsastheCommissiononHumanRightsmayrequire,pursuanttotheauthoritygrantedunderthisResolution
(4)FurtherDIRECT thePNPCIDGtoprovidedirect investigativeassistancetotheCommissiononHumanRightsas itmayrequire,pursuanttotheauthoritygrantedunderthisResolution
(5)AUTHORIZE the Commission on Human Rights to conduct a comprehensive and exhaustive investigation that extends to allaspectsof the case (not limited to the specificdirectivesasoutlinedabove),as theextraordinarymeasures the casemay requireundertheRuleontheWritofAmparoand
(6) REQUIRE the Commission on Human Rights to submit to this Court a Report with its recommendations, copy furnished thepetitioner,theincumbentChiefsoftheAFP,thePNPandthePNPCIDG,andalltherespondents,withinninety(90)daysfromreceiptofthisResolution.
InlightoftheretirementofLt.GeneralAlexanderYanoandthereassignmentoftheotherrespondentswhohaveallbeenimpleadedintheirofficialcapacities,allsubsequentresolutionsandactionsfromthisCourtshallalsobeservedon,andbedirectlyenforceableby,the incumbents of the impleaded offices/units whose official action is necessary. The present respondents shall continue to bepersonallyimpleadedforpurposesoftheresponsibilitiesandaccountabilitiestheymayhaveincurredduringtheirincumbencies.
ThedismissalofthepetitionsforContemptandfortheIssuanceofaWritofAmparowithrespecttoPresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyoisherebyAFFIRMED.
SOORDERED.
Corona,C.J.,Carpio,CarpioMorales,Velasco,Jr.,Nachura,LeonardoDeCastro,Peralta,Bersamin,DelCastillo,Abad,Villarama,Jr.,andPerez,JJ.,concur.Mendoza,J.,onleave
[1]Rollo,pp.71119.
[2]CAG.R.SPNo.99839.
[3]CAG.R.SPNo.100230.
[4]CAG.R.SPNo.00008WA.
[5]ThedispositiveportionoftheCAdecisionreads:
WHEREFORE,basedonalloftheforegoingpremises,judgmentisherebyrenderedasfollows:
1.ThePetitionforHabeasCorpusinCAG.R.SPNo.99839andthePetitionforContemptinCAG.R.SPNo.100230arebothDISMISSED.
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2. The Petition for Amparo in CAG.R. SPNo. 00008WA is PARTIALLYGRANTED. The privilege of thewrit of amparo isgrantedashereunderspecified,viz:
1. Respondents Lt.Gen. Alexander Yano andDir.Gen. AvelinoRazon, Jr., are herebyORDERED tomake available, andprovide copies topetitioner, all documentsand records in theirpossession relevant to the caseof Jonas JosephBurgos,subjecttoreasonableregulationsconsistentwiththeConstitutionandexistinglaws
2.RespondentCommissiononHumanRights,throughitsChairperson,isDIRECTEDtofurnishpetitionerdocumentsnotyetonfilewiththisCourt,pursuanttoitsundertakingbeforethisCourtduringthehearingheldonJanuary21,2008
3. Respondent Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. is hereby DIRECTED to continue with, and conduct, a full and thoroughinvestigationof thecaseofJonasJosephBurgosandtocausethe immediate filingof theappropriatechargesagainstallthosewhomaybefoundresponsiblethereforwiththeDepartmentofJustice
4. Respondent Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano is likewise hereby DIRECTED to conduct a thorough investigation of thecircumstancessurroundingthelossoflicenseplateno.TAB194andthepossibleinvolvementofanyAFPpersonnelintheallegedabductionofJonasJosephBurgos
5.RespondentsLt.Gen.YanoandDir.Gen.RazonareherebyREQUIREDtosubmitacompliancereporttothisCourt,copyfurnishedthepetitioner,withinten(10)daysaftercompletionoftheirrespectiveorganization.
Petitioner'sMotiontoDeclareRespondentsinContemptisDENIEDadmissionandorderedexpungedfromtherecordsofthiscase.
Respondents'ManifestationandMotiondatedJuly1,2008isNOTED.
SOORDERED.
[6]Rollo,pp.9697.
[7]TSN,January21,2008,p.21.
[8]Id.at2122.InsupportofherpetitionfortheWritofAmparo,thepetitionerattachedacopyoftheNewsbreakArticlebyGlendaM.GloriadatedDecember10,2007whichallegedamongothers:
Inhis July9,2007order to theNationalBureauof Investigation,Velasconamed threealleged ISAFPagents, includingawoman,whoallegedlytookpartintheabduction.Themilitaryhassaidthatnoneofthenameswereonitsroster,althoughaneyewitnessaccountindeedpointstoonewomanaspartoftheteam.Incidentally,ISAFPhastwokeyfemaleagents.
CitinginformationfromcontactsoftheBurgosfamily,VelascoalsosaidthattwoothervehiclesservedasbackupstotheToyotaRevothatdroveJonasoutofthemall:amaroonLancerwithplatenumberWAM155andaToyotaAltiswithplatenumberXBX881.ThelatterturnedouttobeastaffcarofGeneralTolentino,Armychiefatthetime,promptinghimtoraiseahowloverwhatheclaimedasplantedinformationdesignedtodiscredithim.
Velasco has since been sacked from the probe, and his order to the NBI is now gathering dust. [See Annex "B" of thepetitioner'sPetitionforReviewonCertioraridatedJuly30,2008rollo,p.125.]
Accordingtonewspaperreports,StateProsecutorVelascoissuedanOrderaskingtheNBItoinvestigateT/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PA),Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(PAF),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PAF),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15oftheIsafp.AlsoorderedinvestigatedwereLt.Col.NoelClement,formercommanderofthe56thIB,andArmy1stLt.JaimeMendaros,reportedlyassignedwiththe56thIB.SeeLiraDalaginFernandez,GonzalezEyesReliefofVelascofromBurgosCase,PhilippineDailyInquirer, (11 July 2007), available athttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/2007071176029/Gonzalez_eyes_relief_of_Velasco_from_Burgos_case, (lastvisitedonJune7,2010)seealsoTheaAlberto,DoJ,UsigToProbePatternsIn"Erap5,"BurgosAbductions,PhilippineDailyInquirer,(July 11, 2007), available athttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/2007071176084/DoJ%2C_Usig_to_probe_patterns_in_%91Erap_5%2C%92_Burgos_abductions(lastvisitedonJune7,2010).
[9]Supranote7,at24.
[10]Ibid.
[11]Id.at21.
[12]TSN,August30,2007,p.119.
[13]Id.at130131.
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[14]Id.at132.
[15]CArollo,pp.424427.
[16]Id.at407412.
[17]Ibid.
[18]Ibid.
[19]Id.at413419.
[20]Id.at420422.
[21]Id.at108.
[22]Id.at110.
[23]G.R.Nos.171396,171409,171485,171483,171400,171489,and171424,May3,2006,489SCRA160.
[24]Supranote10.
[25]CONSTITUTION,ArticleXIII,Section18.
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