Gr182498 Razon v Tagitis

8/9/2019 Gr182498 Razon v Tagitis

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N BANC

GEN. AVELINO I. RAZON, JR.,

Chief, Philippine National Police(PNP); Police ChiefSpe!inten"ent RA#LCAS$A%E&A, Chief, C!i'inalIneti*ation an" &etection G!op(CI&G); Police Senio!Spe!inten"ent LEONAR&O A.ESPINA, Chief, Police Anti+C!i'ean" E'e!*enc Repone(PACER); an" GEN. JOEL R.GOL$IAO, Re*ional &i!ecto! of

AR--, PNP, Petitioners,

- versus -

-AR JEAN /. $AGI$IS, he!ein!ep!eente" 0 A$$. 1ELIPE P.ARCILLA, JR., Atto!ne+in+1act, Respondent.

G.R. No. 234563

P

resent:PUNO, C.J.,

CARPIO,

CORONA,CARPIO MORALES,

CHICO-NAZARIO,

VELASCO, JR.,NACHURA,

LEONARO-E CAS!RO,

"RION,PERAL!A,

"ERSAMIN,

EL CAS!ILLO,

A"A, #ndVILLARAMA, JR.,JJ.

Pro$u%ted'

e(e$)er *, +

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

& E C I S I O N/RION,J.7

/e revie0 in t1is petition 2or revie0 on certiorari345t1e de(ision d#ted M#r(1 6,

+7 o2 t1e Court o2 Appe#%s 8CA9 in C.A-:.R.AMPARONo. .3+5 !1is CA de(ision

(on2ir$ed t1e en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&ineer Mor(ed N. !#&itis 8Tagitis9 #nd&r#nted t1e /rit o2Amparo#t t1e petition o2 1is 0i2e, M#r; Je#n ". !#&itis

8respondent9. !1e dispositive portion o2 t1e CA de(ision re#ds'

89ERE1ORE, pre$ises (onsidered, petition is1ere); GRAN$E&. !1e Court 1ere); 1IN&St1#t t1is is #n :enfo!ce""iappea!ance0it1in t1e $e#nin& o2 t1e United N#tions instru$ents, #s
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used in t1e A$p#ro Ru%es. !1e p!iile*eo2 t1e 0rit o2 amparo#re1ere); etended to En&r. Mor(ed !#&itis.

Conse ?ORCE !A:I!IS, #nd 8(9respondent SR. S#PERIN$EN&EN$ LEONAR&O A. ESPINA, C1ie2,Po%i(e Anti-Cri$e #nd E$er&en(; Response, to #id 1i$ #s t1eir superior-

#re 1ere); &IREC$E&to eert e


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/e 1i&1%i&1t t1is n#ture o2 # /rit o2Amparo(#se #t t1e outset to stress t1#t t1e

uniunnon& 8'unnong9, #n

I" s(1o%#r, !#&itis #rrived in Jo%o ); )o#t in t1e e#r%; $ornin& o2 O(to)er *4, +62ro$ # se$in#r in Z#$)o#n Cit;. !1e; i$$edi#te%; (1e(@ed-in #t AS Pension

House. !#&itis #s@ed >unnon& to )u; 1i$ # )o#t ti(@et 2or 1is return trip t1e 2o%%o0in&

d#; to Z#$)o#n. /1en >unnon& returned 2ro$ t1is err#nd, !#&itis 0#s no %on&er#round.3F5 !1e re(eptionist re%#ted t1#t !#&itis 0ent out to )u; 2ood #t #round 4+'* in t1e

#2ternoon #nd even %e2t 1is roo$ @e; 0it1 t1e des@. 3G5 >unnon& %oo@ed 2or !#&itis #nd

even sent # tet $ess#&e to t1e %#tters M#ni%#-)#sed se(ret#r; 01o did not @no0 o2

!#&itis 01ere#)outs #nd #(tivities eit1er= s1e #dvised >unnon& to si$p%; 0#it.365

On Nove$)er D, +6, >unnon& #nd Mu1#$$#d A)du%n#eir N. M#t%i, # UP

pro2essor o2 Mus%i$ studies #nd !#&itis 2e%%o0 student (ounse%or #t t1e I", reported!#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e to t1e Jo%o Po%i(e St#tion.375 On Nove$)er 6, +6, >unnon&

ee(uted # s0orn #22id#vit #ttestin& to 01#t 1e @ne0 o2 t1e (ir(u$st#n(es surroundin&

!#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e.35

More t1#n # $ont1 %#ter 8on e(e$)er +7, +69, t1e respondent 2i%ed # Petition 2or

t1e /rit o2Amparo8petition9 0it1 t1e CA t1rou&1 1er Attorne;-in-?#(t, Att;. ?e%ipe P.

Ar(i%%#.345 !1e petition 0#s dire(ted #inst Lt. :en. A%e#nder #no, Co$$#ndin&:ener#%, P1i%ippine Ar$;= :en. Ave%ino I. R#on, C1ie2, P1i%ippine N#tion#% Po%i(e

8P$P9= :en. Edrdo M. oro$#%, C1ie2, Cri$in#% Investition #nd etention :roup

8CI%(9= Sr. Supt. Leon#rdo A. Espin#, C1ie2, Po%i(e Anti-Cri$e #nd E$er&en(;Response= :en. Joe% :o%ti#o, Re&ion#% ire(tor, ARMM-PNP= #nd :en. Ru)en R#2#e%,

C1ie2, Anti-!error !#s@ ?or(e Co$et 3(o%%e(tive%; re2erred to #spetitioners5. A2ter

re(itin& !#&itis person#% (ir(u$st#n(es #nd t1e 2#(ts out%ined #)ove, t1e petition 0ent onto st#te'
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4F. A((ordin& to re%i#)%e in2or$#tion re(eived ); t1e

3respondent5, 0@ect En*!. $a*iti i in the cto" of policeintelli*ence ope!atie, pecificall ?ith the CI&G, PNP Za'0oan*aCit,0ein* hel" a*aint hi ?ill in an ea!net atte'pt of the police toinole an" connect En*!. $a*iti ?ith the "iffe!ent te!!o!it *!op=

46. 3Respondent5 2i%ed 1er (o$p%#int 0it1 t1e PNP Po%i(e St#tion in

t1e ARMM in Coto)#to #nd in Jo%o, #s su&&ested ); 1er 2riends, see@in&

t1eir 1e%p to 2ind 1er 1us)#nd, )ut 3respondents5 re


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!1#t i$$edi#te%; upon re(eipt on e(e$)er +, +6 o2 t1eReso%ution o2 t1e Honor#)%e Spe(i#% ?ourt1 ivision o2 t1e Court o2

Appe#%s, I i$$edi#te%; dire(ted t1e Investition ivision o2 t1is :roup3CI:5 to (ondu(t ur&ent investition on t1e #%%e&ed en2or(ed

dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&ineer Mor(ed !#&itis.

!1#t )#sed on re(ord, En&r. Mor(ed N. !#&itis #ttended #n

Edu(#tion eve%op$ent Se$in#r on O(to)er +7, +6 #t Ateneo de

Z#$)o#n #t Z#$)o#n Cit; to&et1er 0it1 Pro2. A)du%n#sser M#t%i. OnO(to)er *, +6, #t #round si o(%o(@ in t1e $ornin& 1e #rrived #t Jo%o,

Su%u. He 0#s #ssisted ); 1is student identi2ied #s Arsi$in >unnon& o2 t1e

Is%#$i( eve%op$ent "#n@ 01o 0#s #%so one o2 t1e p#rti(ip#nts o2 t1e

s#id se$in#r. He (1e(@ed in #t AS pension 1ouse %o(#ted 3sic5>#@u;#n, P#ti@u%, Su%u on O(to)er *, +6 0it1 3sic5 unidenti2ied

(o$p#nion. At #round si o(%o(@ in t1e $ornin& o2 even d#te, En&r.

!#&itis instru(ted 1is student to pur(1#se # 2#st (r#2t ti(@et 2or Z#$)o#n

Cit;. In t1e #2ternoon o2 t1e s#$e d#te, >unnon& #rrived #t t1e pension1ouse (#rr;in& t1e ti(@et 1e pur(1#sed 2or En&r. !#&itis, )ut t1e %#tter 0#s

no01ere to )e 2ound #n;$ore. >unnon& i$$edi#te%; in2or$ed Pro2.A)du%n#sser M#t%i 01o reported t1e in(ident to t1e po%i(e. !1e CI: is

not invo%ved in t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&r. Mor(ed !#&itis to $#@e out #

(#se o2 #n en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e 01i(1 presupposes # dire(t or indire(tinvo%ve$ent o2 t1e &overn$ent.

!1#t 1erein 3petitioner5 se#r(1ed #%% divisions #nd dep#rt$ents 2or

# person n#$ed En&r. Mor(ed N. !#&itis, 01o 0#s #%%e&ed%; #)du(ted ori%%e%%; det#ined ); (overt CI:-PNP Inte%%i&en(e Oper#tives sin(e

O(to)er *, +6 #nd #2ter # di%i&ent #nd t1orou&1 rese#r(1 re(ords s1o0

t1#t no su(1 person is )ein& det#ined in CI: or #n; o2 its dep#rt$ent ordivisions.

!1#t nevert1e%ess, in order to deter$ine t1e (ir(u$st#n(essurroundin& En&r. Mor(ed !#&itis 3sic5 #%%e&ed en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e, t1e

undersi&ned 1#d undert#@en i$$edi#te investition #nd 0i%% pursue

investitions up to its 2u%% (o$p%etion in order to #id in t1e prose(ution o2

t1e person or persons responsi)%e t1ere2ore.

Li@e0ise #tt#(1ed to t1e Return o2 t1e /rit 0#s PNP-PACER34F5C1ie2 PS Supt.

Leon#rdo A. Espin#s #22id#vit 01i(1 #%%e&ed t1#t'34G5

!1#t, I #nd our $en #nd 0o$en in PACER ve1e$ent%; den; #n;

p#rti(ip#tion in t1e #%%e&ed #)du(tion or i%%e%%; 3sic5 detention o2 EN:R.

MORCE N. !A:I!S on O(to)er *, +6. As # $#tter o2 2#(t, no01ere

in t1e 0rit 0#s $entioned t1#t t1e alleged#)du(tion 0#s perpetr#ted );
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e%e$ents o2 PACER nor 0#s t1ere #n; indi(#tion t1#t t1e #%%e&ed

#)du(tion or i%%e% detention o2 EN:R. !A:I!IS 0#s undert#@en oint%;

); our $en #nd ); t1e alleged(overt CI:-PNP inte%%i&en(eoper#tives alleged to 1#ve #)du(ted or i%%e%%; det#ined EN:R.

!A:I!IS.

!1#t I 0#s s1o(@ed 01en I %e#rned t1#t I 0#s i$p%i(#ted in t1e

#%%e&ed dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 EN:R. MORCE in $; (#p#(it; #s t1e (1ie2

PACER 3sic5 (onsiderin& t1#t our o22i(e, t1e Po%i(e Anti-Cri$e #ndE$er&en(; Response 8PACER9, # spe(i#% t#s@ 2or(e (re#ted 2or t1e

purpose o2 neutr#%iin& or er#di(#tin& @idn#p-2or-r#nso$ &roups 01i(1

unti% no0 (ontinue to )e one o2 t1e $en#(e o2 our so(iet; is # respondent

in @idn#ppin& or i%%e% detention (#se. Si$p%; put, our t#s@ is to &o #2ter@idn#ppers #nd (1#r&e t1e$ in (ourt #nd to #)du(t or i%%e%%; det#in or

@idn#p #n;one is #n#t1e$# to our $ission.

!1#t ri&1t #2ter I %e#rned o2 t1e re(eipt o2 t1e /RI! O? AMPARO,I dire(ted t1e C1ie2 o2 PACER Mind#n#o Orient#% 8PACER-MOR9 to

(ondu(t pro-#(tive $e#sures to investite, %o(#tese#r(1 t1e su)e(t,identi2; #nd #ppre1end t1e persons responsi)%e, to re(over #nd preserve

eviden(e re%#ted to t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 EN:R. MORCE !A:I!IS,

01i(1 $#; #id in t1e prose(ution o2 t1e person or persons responsi)%e, toidenti2; 0itnesses #nd o)t#in st#te$ents 2ro$ t1e$ (on(ernin& t1e

dis#ppe#r#n(e #nd to deter$ine t1e (#use, $#nner, %o(#tion #nd ti$e o2

dis#ppe#r#n(e #s 0e%% #s #n; p#ttern or pr#(ti(e t1#t $#; 1#ve )rou&1t

#)out t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e.

!1#t I 2urt1er dire(ted t1e (1ie2 o2 PACER-MOR, Po%i(e

Superintendent JOSE ARNALO "RIONES JR., to su)$it # 0rittenreport rerdin& t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 EN:R. MORCE.

!1#t in (o$p%i#n(e 0it1 $; dire(tive, t1e (1ie2 o2 PACER-MORsent t1rou&1 2# 1is 0ritten report.

!1#t t1e investition #nd $e#sures )ein& undert#@en to

%o(#tese#r(1 t1e su)e(t in (oordin#tion 0it1 Po%i(e Re&ion#% O22i(e,Autono$ous Re&ion o2 Mus%i$ Mind#n#o 8PRO-ARMM9 #nd Jo%o Po%i(e

Provin(i#% O22i(e 8PPO9 #nd ot1er A?P #nd PNP units#&en(ies in t1e #re#

#re on&oin& 0it1 t1e instru(tion not to %e#ve #n; stone unturned so tospe#@ in t1e investition unti% t1e perpetr#tors in t1e inst#nt (#se #re

)rou&1t to t1e )#r o2 usti(e.

!1#t I 1#ve eer(ised EK!RAORINAR ILI:ENCE in

de#%in& 0it1 t1e /RI! O? AMPARO ust issued.


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?in#%%;, t1e PNP PRO ARMM Re&ion#% ire(tor PC Supt. Joe% R. :o%ti#o 8(en.(otiao9, #%so su)$itted 1is #22id#vit det#i%in& t1e #(tions t1#t 1e 1#d t#@en upon re(eipt

o2 t1e report on !#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e, vi)'3465

*9 ?or t1e re(ord'

4. I #$ t1e Re&ion#% ire(tor o2 Po%i(e Re&ion#% O22i(eARMM no0 #nd durin& t1e ti$e o2 t1e in(ident=

D. It is $; dut; to %oo@ into #nd t#@e #ppropri#te $e#sures on

#n; (#ses o2 reported en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es #nd 01en t1e; #re )ein&

#%%uded to $; o22i(e=

F. On Nove$)er F, +6, t1e Provin(i#% ire(tor o2 Su%u Po%i(e

Provin(i#% O22i(e reported to $e t1rou&1 R#dio Mess#&e Cite No. SPNP*-44F-6-+6 t1#t on Nove$)er D, +6 #t #round *'* p.$., # (ert#in

A)du%n#sser M#t%i, #n e$p%o;ee o2 Is%#$i( eve%op$ent "#n@, #ppe#red

)e2ore t1e O22i(e o2 t1e C1ie2 o2 Po%i(e, Jo%o Po%i(e St#tion, #nd reportedt1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&r. Mor(ed !#&itis, s(1o%#rs1ip (oordin#tor o2

Is%#$i( eve%op$ent "#n@, M#ni%#=

G. !1ere 0#s no report t1#t En&r. !#&i)is 0#s %#st seen in t1e(o$p#n; o2 or t#@en ); #n; $e$)er o2 t1e P1i%ippine N#tion#% Po%i(e )ut

r#t1er 1e ust dis#ppe#red 2ro$ AS Pension House situ#ted #t >#@u;#n

Vi%%#&e, Vi%%#&e, P#ti@u%, Su%u, on O(to)er *, +6, 0it1out #n; tr#(e o22or(i)%e #)du(tion or #rrest=

6. !1e %#st @no0n inst#n(e o2 (o$$uni(#tion 0it1 1i$ 0#s01en Arsi$in >unnon&, # student s(1o%#r, 0#s re


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#nd o)t#in st#te$ents 2ro$ t1e$ (on(ernin& 1is dis#ppe#r#n(e, to

deter$ine t1e (#use #nd $#nner o2 1is dis#ppe#r#n(e, to identi2; #nd

#ppre1end t1e person or persons invo%ved in t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e so t1#t t1e;s1#%% )e )rou&1t )e2ore # (o$petent (ourt=

. !1ere#2ter, t1rou&1 $; C1ie2 o2 t1e Re&ion#% Investition#nd ete(tion M#n#&e$ent ivision, I 1#ve (#used t1e 2o%%o0in&

dire(tives'

#9 R#dio Mess#&e Cite No. RIM-44++-6-*F7 d#ted Nove$)er

++, +6 dire(tin& P Su%u PPO to (ondu(t oint investition 0it1

CI: #nd CIU ARMM on t1e $#tter=

)9 R#dio Mess#&e Cite No. RIM-44+7-6-*G4 d#ted Nove$)er

+7, +6 dire(tin& P Su%u PPO to epedite (o$p%i#n(e to $;

previous dire(tive=

(9 Me$or#ndu$ d#ted e(e$)er 4D, +6 #ddressed to P Su%u

PPO reiter#tin& our series o2 dire(tives 2or investition #nddire(tin& 1i$ to undert#@e e1#ustive (oordin#tion e22orts 0it1 t1e

o0ner o2 AS Pension House #nd student s(1o%#rs o2 I" in order

to se(ure (orro)or#tive st#te$ents rerdin& t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e #nd01ere#)outs o2 s#id person#%it;=

d9 Me$or#ndu$ d#ted e(e$)er +D, +6 #ddressed to P Su%u

PPO dire(tin& 1i$ to $#i$ie e22orts to est#)%is1 (%ues on t1e01ere#)outs o2 En&r. !#&itis ); see@in& t1e (ooper#tion o2 Pro2.

A)du%n#sser M#t%i #nd Arsi$in >unnon& #ndor 01enever

ne(ess#r;, 2or t1e$ to vo%unt#ri%; su)$it 2or po%;&r#p1e#$in#tion 0it1 t1e N"I so #s to epun&e #%% (%ouds o2 dou)t t1#t

t1e; $#; so$e1o0 1#ve @no0%ed&e or ide# to 1is dis#ppe#r#n(e=

e9 Me$or#ndu$ d#ted e(e$)er +6, +6 #ddressed to t1e

Re&ion#% C1ie2, Cri$in#% Investition #nd ete(tion :roup,

Po%i(e Re&ion#% O22i(e , Z#$)o#n Cit;, re


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t1e 01ere#)outs o2 En&r. !#&itis #nd t1e (ir(u$st#n(es re%#ted to 1is

dis#ppe#r#n(e #nd su)$itted t1e 2o%%o0in&'

#9 Pro&ress Report d#ted Nove$)er G, +6 t1rou&1 R#dio Mess#&e

Cite No. SPNP*-44G-4-+6=

)9 R#dio Mess#&e Cite No. SPIMS-4+F-D6-6 in2or$in& t1is o22i(e

t1#t t1e; #re sti%% $onitorin& t1e 01ere#)outs o2 En&r. !#&itis=

(9 Investition Report d#ted e(e$)er *4, +6 2ro$ t1e C1ie2 o2

Po%i(e, Jo%o Po%i(e St#tion, Su%u PPO=

44. !1is in(ident 0#s proper%; reported to t1e PNP Hi&1erHe#d


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In t1e 1e#rin& on J#nu#r; 46, +7, !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS su)$itted to t1e CA

#n inte%%i&en(e report 2ro$ PSL Us$#n S. Pin, t1e C1ie2 o2 Po%i(e o2 t1e Jo%o Po%i(e

St#tion, st#tin& # possi)%e $otive 2or !#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e.3++5!1e inte%%i&en(e report0#s #pp#rent%; )#sed on t1e s0orn #22id#vit d#ted J#nu#r; D, +7 o2 Mu1#$$#d

A)du%n#eir N. M#t%i 8Pro". Mati, Pro2essor o2 Is%#$i( Studies #t t1e Universit; o2 t1e

P1i%ippines #nd #n Honor#r; Student Counse%or o2 t1e I" S(1o%#rs1ip Pro&r#$ in t1eP1i%ippines, 01o to%d t1e Provin(i#% :overnor o2 Su%u t1#t'3+*5

3"#sed5 on re%i#)%e in2or$#tion 2ro$ t1e O22i(e o2 Mus%i$ A22#irs inM#ni%#, !#&itis 1#s reported%; t#@en #nd (#rried #0#; $ore or %ess ?ive

Mi%%ion Pesos 8PF,,.9 deposited #nd entrusted to 1is 3person#%5

)#n@ #((ounts ); t1e Centr#% O22i(e o2 I", Jedd#1, >in&do$ o2 S#udi

Ar#)i#, 01i(1 30#s5 intended 2or t1e I" S(1o%#rs1ip ?und.

In t1e s#$e 1e#rin&, PS Supt. Airi$ testi2ied t1#t sin(e t1e CI: 0#s #%%e&ed to )e

responsi)%e, 1e person#%%; 0ent to t1e CI: o22i(e in Z#$)o#n Cit; to (ondu(t #n

o(u%#r inspe(tioninvestition, p#rti(u%#r%; o2 t1eir detention (e%%s.

3+D5

PS Supt. Airi$st#ted t1#t t1e CI:, 01i%e 1e%pin& !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS investite t1e

dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 !#&itis, persistent%; denied #n; @no0%ed&e or (o$p%i(it; in #n;#)du(tion.3+F5 He 2urt1er testi2ied t1#t prior to t1e 1e#rin&, 1e 1#d #%re#d; $o)i%ied #nd

&iven spe(i2i( instru(tions to t1eir supportin& units to per2or$ t1eir respe(tive t#s@s= t1#t

t1e; even t#%@ed to, )ut 2#i%ed to &et #n; %e#d 2ro$ t1e respondent in Jo%o. 3+G5 In 1issu)$itted investition report d#ted J#nu#r; 4G, +7, PS Supt. Airi$ (on(%uded'3+65

. :%e#ned 2ro$ t1e undersi&ned inspe(tion #nd o)serv#tion #t t1e

He#d


14/69

It is re(o$$ended t1#t t1e /rit o2 A$p#ro 2i%ed #inst t1e

respondents )e dropped #nd dis$issed (onsiderin& on 3sic5 t1e po%i(e #nd$i%it#r; #(tions in t1e #re# p#rti(u%#r%; t1e CI: #re eertin& t1eir e22orts

#nd re%i&ious%; doin& t1eir t#s@ed 3sic5 in t1e (ondu(t o2 its inte%%i&en(e

$onitorin& #nd investition 2or t1e e#r%; reso%ution o2 t1is inst#nt(#se. "ut rest #ssured, our o22i(e, in (oordin#tion 0it1 ot1er %#0-

en2or(e$ent #&en(ies in t1e #re#, #re (ontinuous%; #nd re%i&ious%;

(ondu(tin& our investition 2or t1e reso%ution o2 t1is (#se.

On ?e)ru#r; D, +7, t1e CA issued #n ALARM /ARNIN: t1#t !AS> ?ORCE

!A:I!IS did not #ppe#r to )e eertin& etr#ordin#r; e22orts in reso%vin& !#&itis

dis#ppe#r#n(e on t1e 2o%%o0in& &rounds'3+75

849 !1is Court ?OUN t1#t it 0#s on%; #s %#te #s J#nu#r;

+7, +7, #2ter t1e 1e#rin&, t1#t :EN. JOEL :OL!IAO #nd COL.

AHIRON AJIRIM 1#d re


15/69

Testimonies for the Respondent

On J#nu#r; 6, +7, t1e respondent, M#r; Je#n ". !#&itis, testi2ied on dire(te#$in#tion t1#t s1e 0ent to Jo%o #nd Z#$)o#n in 1er e22orts to %o(#te 1er

1us)#nd. S1e s#id t1#t # 2riend 2ro$ Z#$)o#n 1o%din& # 1i&1 position in t1e $i%it#r;

801o$ s1e did not t1en identi2;9 ve 1er in2or$#tion t1#t #%%o0ed 1er to spe(i2; 1er#%%etions, p#rti(u%#r%; p#r#&r#p1 4F o2 t1e petition.3+5 !1is 2riend #%so to%d 1er t1#t

1er 1us)#nd 30#s5 in &ood 1#nds.3*5!1e respondent #%so testi2ied t1#t s1e sou&1t t1e

#ssist#n(e o2 1er 2or$er )oss in #v#o Cit;, L#nd "#n@ "##d# "r#n(1 M#n#&er Rud;

S#%v#dor, 01o to%d 1er t1#t PNP CI: is 1o%din& 31er 1us)#nd5, En&ineer Mor(ed!#&itis.3*45!1e respondent re(ounted t1#t s1e 0ent to C#$p >#titip#n in #v#o Cit;

01ere s1e $et Co%. Ju%#siri$ A1#din >#si$ 8Co. 'asim/*r. *upt 'asim9 01o re#d to 1er

#nd 1er 2riends 801o 0ere t1en 0it1 1er9 # 1i&1%; (on2identi#% report t1#t (ont#ined t1e

#%%e&ed #(tivities o2 En&ineer !#&itis #nd in2or$ed 1er t1#t 1er 1us)#nd 0#s #)du(ted)e(#use 1e is under (ustodi#% investition 2or )ein& # %i#ison 2or J.I. or Je$##1

Is%#$i#1.3*+5

On J#nu#r; 46, +7, t1e respondent on (ross-e#$in#tion testi2ied t1#t s1e is

!#&itis se(ond 0i2e, #nd t1e; 1#ve )een $#rried 2or t1irteen ;e#rs= !#&itis 0#s divor(ed2ro$ 1is 2irst 0i2e.3**5 S1e %#st (o$$uni(#ted 0it1 1er 1us)#nd on O(to)er +, +6 #t

#round 6'*4 p.$. t1rou&1 tet $ess#&in&= !#&itis 0#s t1en on 1is 0#; to Jo%o, Su%u, 2ro$

Z#$)o#n Cit;.3*D5

!1e respondent n#rr#ted t1#t s1e %e#rned o2 1er 1us)#nds dis#ppe#r#n(e on O(to)er

*, +6 01en 1er stepd#u&1ter, Z#;n#1 !#&itis 80aynah9, in2or$ed 1er t1#t s1e 1#d not

1e#rd 2ro$ 1er 2#t1er sin(e t1e ti$e t1e; #rr#n&ed to $eet in M#ni%# on O(to)er *4,+6.3*F5!1e respondent ep%#ined t1#t it too@ 1er # 2e0 d#;s 8or on Nove$)er F, +69

to person#%%; #s@ >unnon& to report 1er 1us)#nds dis#ppe#r#n(e to t1e Jo%o Po%i(e

St#tion, sin(e s1e 1#d t1e i$pression t1#t 1er 1us)#nd (ou%d not (o$$uni(#te 0it1 1er)e(#use 1is (e%%u%#r p1ones )#tter; did not 1#ve enou&1 po0er, #nd t1#t 1e 0ou%d (#%%

1er 01en 1e 1#d 2u%%;-(1#r&ed 1is (e%%u%#r p1ones )#tter;.3*G5

!1e respondent #%so identi2ied t1e 1i&1-r#n@in& $i%it#r; 2riend, 01o ve 1er t1ein2or$#tion 2ound in p#r#&r#p1 4F o2 1er petition, #s Lt. Co%. Pedro L. An(#n#n, Jr 8 Co.

Ancanan9. S1e $et 1i$ in C#$p >#rin%, Z#$)o#n t1rou&1 1er )oss.3*65 S1e #%so

testi2ied t1#t s1e 0#s 0it1 t1ree ot1er peop%e, n#$e%;, Mrs. M#r;de% M#rtin !#%)in #nd1er t0o 2riends 2ro$ M#ti Cit;, #v#o Orient#%, 01en Co%. >#si$ re#d to t1e$ t1e

(ontents o2 t1e 1i&1%; (on2identi#% report #t C#$p >#titip#n, #v#o Cit;. !1e

respondent 2urt1er n#rr#ted t1#t t1e report indi(#ted t1#t 1er 1us)#nd $et 0it1 peop%e)e%on&in& to # terrorist &roup #nd t1#t 1e 0#s under (ustodi#% investition. S1e t1en to%d

Co%. >#si$ t1#t 1er 1us)#nd 0#s # di#)eti( t#@in& $#inten#n(e $edi(#tion, #nd #s@ed

t1#t t1e Co%one% re%#; to t1e persons 1o%din& 1i$ t1e need to &ive 1i$ 1is $edi(#tion.3*75
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn29http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn34http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn34http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn35http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn29http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn34http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn35http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn38


16/69

On ?e)ru#r; 44, +7, !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS su)$itted t0o n#rr#tive reports,3*5si&ned ); t1e respondent, det#i%in& 1er e22orts to %o(#te 1er 1us)#nd 01i(1 %ed to 1er

$eetin&s 0it1 Co%. An(#n#n o2 t1e P1i%ippine Ar$; #nd Co%. >#si$ o2 t1e PNP. In 1ern#rr#tive report (on(ernin& 1er $eetin& 0it1 Co%. An(#n#n, t1e respondent re(ounted,vi)'3D5

On Nove$)er 44, +6, 0e 0ent to Z#$)o#n Cit; 0it1 $; 2riend

Mrs. M#r;de% !#%)in. Our 2%i&1t 2ro$ #v#o Cit; is ' o(%o(@ in t1e

$ornin&= 0e #rrived #t Z#$)o#n Airport #t #round 4' o(%o(@. /e30ere5 2et(1ed ); t1e t0o st#22s o2 Co%. An(#n#n. /e i$$edi#te%; pro(eed

3sic5 to /est Mind#n#o Co$$#nd 8/ES!MINCOM9.

On t1#t s#$e d#;, 0e 1#d priv#te (onvers#tion 0it1 Co%. An(#n#n.He intervie0ed $e #nd &ot in2or$#tion #)out t1e person#% )#(@&round o2

En&r. Mor(ed N. !#&itis. A2ter 1e t1ered #%% in2or$#tion, 1e reve#%ed to

us t1e (ontents o2 tet $ess#&es t1e; &ot 2ro$ t1e (e%%u%#r p1one o2 t1e

su)e(t En&r. !#&itis. One o2 t1e ver; i$port#nt tet $ess#&es o2 En&r.!#&itis sent to 1is d#u&1ter Z#;n#1 !#&itis 0#s t1#t s1e 0#s not #%%o0ed

to #ns0er #n; te%ep1one (#%%s in 1is (ondo$iniu$ unit.

/1i%e 0e 0ere t1ere 1e did not te%% us #n; in2or$#tion o2 t1e

01ere#)outs o2 En&r. !#&itis. A2ter t1e s#id $eetin& 0it1 Co%. An(#n#n,1e tre#ted us #s &uests to t1e (it;. His t0o st#22s #((o$p#nied us to t1e

$#%% to pur(1#se our p%#ne ti(@et &oin& )#(@ to #v#o Cit; on Nove$)er

4+, +6.

/1en 0e #rrived in #v#o Cit; on Nove$)er 4+, +6 #t ' in

t1e $ornin&, Co%. An(#n#n #nd I 0ere dis(ussin& so$e points t1rou&1

p1one (#%%s. He #ssured $e t1#t $; 1us)#nd is #%ive #nd 1es %#st %oo@ed3sic5 in !#%ip#p#o, Jo%o, Su%u. et I did not )e%ieve 1is &iven st#te$ents o2

t1e 01ere#)outs o2 $; 1us)#nd, )e(#use I (ont#(ted so$e o2 $; 2riends

01o 1#ve #((ess to t1e &roups o2 MIL?, MNL? #nd AS:. I (#%%ed up Co%.An(#n#n sever#% ti$es )e&&in& to te%% $e t1e e#(t %o(#tion o2 $; 1us)#nd

#nd 01o 1e%d 1i$ )ut 1e re2used.

/1i%e I 0#s in Jo%o, Su%u on Nove$)er *, +6, I (#%%ed 1i$ up#in )e(#use t1e PNP, Jo%o did not &ive $e #n; in2or$#tion o2 t1e

01ere#)outs o2 $; 1us)#nd. Co%. An(#n#n to%d $e t1#t S#n# non

#%#$ $o n# @un& s##n #n& @in#%#%#&;#n n& #s#0# $o. /1en I 0#s inZ#$)o#n, I 0#s t1in@in& o2 droppin& ); t1e o22i(e o2 Co%. An(#n#n, )ut

I 0#s 1esit#nt to p#; 1i$ # visit 2or t1e re#son t1#t t1e C1ie2 o2 Po%i(e o2

Jo%o to%d $e not to (ont#(t #n; A?P o22i(i#%s #nd 1e pro$ised $e t1#t 1e(#n so%ve t1e (#se o2 $; 1us)#nd 8En&r. !#&itis9 0it1in nine d#;s.

I #ppre(i#te t1e e22ort o2 Co%. An(#n#n on tr;in& to so%ve t1e (#se

o2 $; 1us)#nd En&r. Mor(ed !#&itis, ;et 2#i%ed to do so.


17/69

!1e respondent #%so n#rr#ted 1er en(ounter 0it1 Co%. >#si$, #s 2o%%o0s'3D45

On Nove$)er 6, +6, I 0ent to L#nd "#n@ o2 t1e P1i%ippines,

"##d# "r#n(1, #v#o Cit; to $eet Mr. Rud; S#%v#dor. I to%d 1i$ t1#t $;

1us)#nd, En&ineer Mor(ed !#&itis 0#s presu$ed to )e #)du(ted in Jo%o,Su%u on O(to)er *, +6. I #s@ed 1i$ # 2#vor to (ont#(t 1is (onne(tions

in t1e $i%it#r; in Jo%o, Su%u 01ere t1e #)du(tion o2 En&r. !#&itis too@

p%#(e. Mr. S#%v#dor i$$edi#te%; (#%%ed up C#$p >#titip#n %o(#ted in#v#o Cit; %oo@in& 2or 1i&1-r#n@in& o22i(i#% 01o (#n 1e%p $e t1er

re%i#)%e in2or$#tion )e1ind t1e #)du(tion o2 su)e(t En&ineer !#&itis.

On t1#t s#$e d#;, Mr. S#%v#dor #nd $; 2riend, Ann# Mendo#,Ee(utive Se(ret#r;, #((o$p#nied $e to C#$p >#titip#n to $eet Co%.

>#si$. Mr. S#%v#dor introdu(ed $e to Co%. >#si$ #nd 0e 1#d # s1ort

(onvers#tion. And 1e #ssured $e t1#t 1e%% do t1e )est 1e (#n to 1e%p $e

2ind $; 1us)#nd.

A2ter # 2e0 0ee@s, Mr. S#%v#dor (#%%ed $e up in2or$in& $e upin2or$in& $e t1#t I #$ to &o to C#$p >#titip#n to $eet Co%. >#si$ 2or 1e

1#s #n ur&ent, (on2identi#% in2or$#tion to reve#%.

On Nove$)er +D, +6, 0e 0ent )#(@ to C#$p >#titip#n 0it1 $;

t1ree 2riends. !1#t 0#s t1e ti$e t1#t Co%. >#si$ re#d to us t1e

(on2identi#% report t1#t En&r. !#&itis 0#s #%%e&ed%; (onne(ted 30it15

di22erent terrorist 3&roups5, one o2 01i(1 1e $entioned in t1e report 0#sOMAR PA!I> #nd # (ert#in SAN!OS - # "#%i@ Is%#$.

It is #%so s#id t1#t En&r. !#&itis is (#rr;in& )oes o2 $edi(ines 2ort1e inured terrorists #s # supp%ier. !1ese #re t1e t0o in2or$#tion t1#t I

(#n sti%% re$e$)er. It 0#s 0ritten in # %on& )ond p#per 0it1 PNP

Letter1e#d. It 0#s not s1o0n to us, ;et Co%. >#si$ 0#s t1e one 01o re#dit 2or us.

He #s@ed # 2#vor to $e t1#t P%e#se dont


18/69


19/69

On (ross-e#$in#tion, Co%. >#si$ testi2ied t1#t t1e in2or$#tion 1e ve t1e

respondent 0#s &iven to 1i$ ); 1is in2or$#nt, 01o 0#s # (ivi%i#n #sset, t1rou&1 # %etter

01i(1 1e (onsidered #s uno22i(i#%.3G45Co%. >#si$ stressed t1#t t1e %etter 0#s on%;$e#nt 2or 1is (onsu$ption #nd not 2or re#din& ); ot1ers. 3G+54e testi"ied "urther that he

destroyed the etter right a"ter he read it to the respondent and her companions because

2it 1as not important to him3 and aso because the in"ormation it contained had noimportance in reation 1ith the abduction o" Tagitis.3G*5 He ep%#ined t1#t 1e did not @eep

t1e %etter )e(#use it did not (ont#in #n; in2or$#tion rerdin& t1e 01ere#)outs o2 !#&itis

#nd t1e person8s9 responsi)%e 2or 1is #)du(tion.3GD5

In t1e s#$e 1e#rin& on ?e)ru#r; 44, +7, t1e petitioners #%so presented Po%i(e

Senior Superintendent Jose Vo%p#ne P#nte 8Co. Pante9, C1ie2 o2 t1e CI:-, to disprove

t1e respondents #%%etion t1#t !#&itis 0#s in t1e (ustod; o2 CI:-Z#$)o#n Cit;.3GF5 Co%. P#nte (%#ri2ied t1#t t1e CI: 0#s t1e investitive #r$ o2 t1e PNP, #nd t1#t

t1e CI: investites #nd prose(utes #%% (#ses invo%vin& vio%#tions in t1e Revised Pen#%

Code p#rti(u%#r%; t1ose (onsidered #s 1einous (ri$es.3GG5 Co%. P#nte 2urt1er testi2ied t1#t

t1e #%%etion t1#t RCIU personne% 0ere invo%ved in t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 !#&itis 0#s)#se%ess, sin(e t1e; did not (ondu(t #n; oper#tion in Jo%o, Su%u )e2ore or #2ter !#&itis

reported dis#ppe#r#n(e.3G65 Co%. P#nte #dded t1#t t1e 2our 8D9 personne% #ssi&ned to t1eSu%u CI! 1#d no (#p#)i%it; to (ondu(t #n; oper#tion, sin(e t1e; 0ere on%; #ssi&ned

to investite $#tters #nd to $onitor t1e terroris$ situ#tion. 3G75 He denied t1#t 1is o22i(e

(ondu(ted #n; survei%%#n(e on !#&itis prior to t1e %#tters dis#ppe#r#n(e. 3G5Co%. P#nte2urt1er testi2ied t1#t 1is investition o2 !#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e 0#s unsu((ess2u%= t1e

investition 0#s sti%% 2#(in& # )%#n@ 0#%% on t1e 01ere#)outs o2 !#&itis.365

$9E CA R#LING

On M#r(1 6, +7, t1e CA issued its de(ision 3645(on2ir$in& t1#t t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e

o2 !#&itis 0#s #n en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e under t1e United N#tions 85$9 e(%#r#tionon t1e Prote(tion o2 A%% Persons 2ro$ En2or(ed is#ppe#r#n(es. 36+5 !1e CA ru%ed t1#t

01en $i%it#r; inte%%i&en(e pinpointed t1e investitive #r$ o2 t1e PNP 8CI:9 to )e

invo%ved in t1e #)du(tion, t1e $issin&-person (#se #si$s #sset,

pointin& to t1e CI:s invo%ve$ent in !#&itis #)du(tion. !1e CA 1e%d t1#t r#0

reports 2ro$ #n #sset (#rried &re#t 0ei&1t in t1e inte%%i&en(e 0or%d. It #%so %#)e%ed#s suspe(t Co%. >#si$s su)se


20/69

pro&r#$ ever (#$e 2or0#rd to (o$p%#in t1#t 1e or s1e did not &et 1is or 1er stipend. !1e

CA #%so 2ound no )#sis 2or t1e po%i(e t1eor; t1#t !#&itis 0#s tr;in& to es(#pe 2ro$ t1e

(%ut(1es o2 1is se(ond 0i2e, on t1e )#sis o2 t1e respondents testi$on; t1#t !#&itis 0#s #Mus%i$ 01o (ou%d 1#ve $#n; 0ives under t1e Mus%i$ 2#it1, #nd t1#t t1ere 0#s no

issue #t #%% 01en t1e %#tter divor(ed 1is 2irst 0i2e in order to $#rr; t1e se(ond. ?in#%%;,

t1e CA #%so ru%ed out @idn#ppin& 2or r#nso$ ); t1e A)u S#;;#2 or ); t1e ARMMp#r#$i%it#r; #s t1e (#use 2or !#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e, sin(e t1e respondent, t1e po%i(e #nd

t1e $i%it#r; noted t1#t t1ere 0#s no #(@no0%ed&e$ent o2 !#&itis #)du(tion or de$#nd

2or p#;$ent o2 r#nso$ B t1e usu#% modus operandio2 t1ese terrorist &roups.

"#sed on t1ese (onsider#tions, t1e CA t1us etended t1e privi%e&e o2 t1e 0rit to

!#&itis #nd 1is 2#$i%;, #nd dire(ted t1e CI: C1ie2, Co%. Jose Vo%p#ne P#nte, PNP C1ie2

Ave%ino I. R#on, !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS 1e#ds :en. Joe% :o%ti#o #nd Co%. A1ironAiri$, #nd PACER C1ie2 Sr. Supt. Leon#rdo A. Espin# to eert etr#ordin#r; di%i&en(e

#nd e22orts to prote(t t1e %i2e, %i)ert; #nd se(urit; o2 !#&itis, 0it1 t1e o)%ition to provide

$ont1%; reports o2 t1eir #(tions to t1e CA. At t1e s#$e ti$e, t1e CA dis$issed t1e

petition #inst t1e t1en respondents 2ro$ t1e $i%it#r;, Lt. :en A%e#nder #no #nd :en.Ru)en R#2#e%, )#sed on t1e 2indin& t1#t it 0#s PNP-CI:, not t1e $i%it#r;, t1#t 0#s

invo%ved.

On M#r(1 *4, +7, t1e petitioners $oved to re(onsider t1e CA de(ision, )ut t1e

CA denied t1e $otion in its Reso%ution o2 Apri% , +7.36*5

$9E PE$I$ION

In t1is Ru%e DF #ppe#%


21/69

49 #%%e&e #n; #(t or o$ission t1e petitioners (o$$itted in vio%#tion o2 !#&itis

ri&1ts to %i2e, %i)ert; #nd se(urit;=

+9 #%%e&e in # (o$p%ete $#nner 1o0 !#&itis 0#s #)du(ted, t1e persons

responsi)%e 2or 1is dis#ppe#r#n(e, #nd t1e respondents sour(e o2 in2or$#tion=*9 #%%e&e t1#t t1e #)du(tion 0#s (o$$itted #t t1e petitioners instru(tions or

0it1 t1eir (onsent=

D9 i$p%e#d t1e $e$)ers o2 CI: re&ion#% o22i(e in Z#$)o#n #%%e&ed to 1#ve

(ustod; over 1er 1us)#nd=

F9 #tt#(1 t1e #22id#vits o2 0itnesses to support 1er #((us#tions=

G9 #%%e&e #n; #(tion or in#(tion #ttri)ut#)%e to t1e petitioners in t1e per2or$#n(e

o2 t1eir duties in t1e investition o2 !#&itis dis#ppe#r#n(e= #nd

69 spe(i2; 01#t %e%%; #v#i%#)%e e22orts s1e too@ to deter$ine t1e 2#te or

01ere#)outs o2 1er 1us)#nd.

A petition 2or t1e /rit o2Amparos1#%% )e si&ned #nd veri2ied #nd s1#%% #%%e&e,

#$on& ot1ers 8in ter$s o2 t1e portions t1e petitioners (ite9'36F5

(c) $he !i*ht to life, li0e!t an" ec!it of the a**!iee" pa!tiolate" o! th!eatene" ?ith iolation 0 an nla?fl act o! o'iionof the !epon"ent, an" ho? ch th!eat o! iolation i co''itte"?ith the atten"ant ci!c'tance "etaile" in ppo!tin* affi"ait =(") $he ineti*ation con"cte", if an, pecifin* the na'e,

pe!onal ci!c'tance, an" a""!ee of the ineti*atin* atho!ito! in"ii"al, a ?ell a the 'anne! an" con"ct of theineti*ation, to*ethe! ?ith an !epo!t=

(e) $he action an" !eco!e ta>en 0 the petitione! to "ete!'ine thefate o! ?he!ea0ot of the a**!iee" pa!t an" the i"entit of thepe!on !eponi0le fo! the th!eat, act o! o'iion; an"

!1e 2r#$ers o2 t1eAmparo Ru%e never intended Se(tion F8(9 to )e (o$p%ete in

ever; det#i% in st#tin& t1e t1re#tened or #(tu#% vio%#tion o2 # vi(ti$s ri&1ts. As in #n;

ot1er initi#tor; p%e#din&, t1e p%e#der $ust o2 (ourse st#te t1e u%ti$#te 2#(ts (onstitutin&

t1e (#use o2 #(tion, o$ittin& t1e evidenti#r; det#i%s. 36G5In #nAmparopetition, 1o0ever,

t1is re


22/69

purpose%; )e 1idden or (overed up ); t1ose 01o (#used t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e. In t1is t;pe

o2 situ#tion, to re


23/69

1o0ever, s1ou%d not )e re#d #s #n #)so%ute one t1#t ne(ess#ri%; %e#ds to t1e dis$iss#% o2

t1e petition i2 not stri(t%; 2o%%o0ed. /1ere, #s in t1is (#se, t1e petitioner 1#s su)st#nti#%%;

(o$p%ied 0it1 t1e re


24/69

on t1e investitions undert#@en #re su22i(ient%; (o$p%ete 2or purposes o2 )rin&in& t1e

petition 2or0#rd.

Se(tion F8e9 is in t1eAmparo Ru%e to prevent t1e use o2 # petition B t1#t ot1er0ise

is not supported ); su22i(ient #%%etions to (onstitute # proper (#use o2 #(tion B #s #$e#ns to 2is1 2or eviden(e.3745!1e petitioners (ontend t1#t t1e respondents petition did

not spe(i2; 01#t %e%%; #v#i%#)%e e22orts 0ere t#@en ); t1e respondent, #nd t1#t t1ere

0#s #n undue 1#ste in t1e 2i%in& o2 t1e petition 01en, inste#d o2 (ooper#tin& 0it1

#ut1orities, t1e respondent i$$edi#te%; invo@ed t1e Courts intervention.

/e do not see t1e respondents petition #s t1e petitioners vie0 it.

Se(tion F8e9 $ere%; reunnon&=

4. /1en >unnon& (ou%d not %o(#te En&r. !#&itis, t1e 2or$er sou&1t

t1e 1e%p o2 #not1er I" s(1o%#r #nd reported t1e $#tter to t1e %o(#% po%i(e

#&en(;=

44. Arsi$in >unnon&, in(%udin& 1is 2riends #nd (o$p#nions in Jo%o,

eerted e22orts in tr;in& to %o(#te t1e 01ere#)outs o2 En&r. !#&itis #nd01en 1e reported t1e $#tter to t1e po%i(e #ut1orities in Jo%o, 1e 0#s

i$$edi#te%; &iven # re#d; #ns0er t1#t En&r. !#&itis (ou%d 31#ve )een5

#)du(ted ); t1e A)u S#;;#2 &roup #nd ot1er &roups @no0n to )e 2i&1tin&

#inst t1e &overn$ent=

4+. "ein& s(#red 0it1 t1ese su&&estions #nd insinu#tions o2 t1e po%i(e

o22i(ers, >unnon& reported t1e $#tter to t1e 3respondent580i2e o2 En&r.
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26/69

"#sed on t1ese (onsider#tions, 0e ru%e t1#t t1e respondents petition 2or t1e /rit

o2Amparois su22i(ient in 2or$ #nd su)st#n(e #nd t1#t t1e Court o2 Appe#%s 1#d ever;

re#son to pro(eed 0it1 its (onsider#tion o2 t1e (#se.

The Desaparecidos

!1e present (#se is one o2 2irst i$pression in t1e use #nd #pp%i(#tion o2 t1e Ru%e

on t1e /rit o2Amparoin #n en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e situ#tion. ?or # deeper #ppre(i#tion

o2 t1e #pp%i(#tion o2 t1is Ru%e to #n en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e situ#tion, # )rie2 %oo@ #t t1e

1istori(#% (ontet o2 t1e 0rit #nd en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es 0ou%d )e ver; 1e%p2u%.

!1e p1eno$enon o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e #risin& 2ro$ St#te #(tion 2irst#ttr#(ted noti(e in Ado%2 Hit%ers$act und $ebe #rassor Ni&1t #nd ?o& e(ree o2

e(e$)er 6, 4D4.37+5 !1e !1ird Rei(1s Ni&1t #nd ?o& Pro&r#$, # St#te po%i(;, 0#s

dire(ted #t persons in o((upied territories end#n&erin& :er$#n se(urit;= t1e; 0ere

tr#nsported se(ret%; to :er$#n; 01ere t1e; dis#ppe#red 0it1out # tr#(e. In order to

$#i$ie t1e desired inti$id#tin& e22e(t, t1e po%i(; pro1i)ited &overn$ent o22i(i#%s 2ro$

providin& in2or$#tion #)out t1e 2#te o2 t1ese t#r&eted persons.37*5

In t1e $id-46s, t1e p1eno$enon o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es resur2#(ed,

s1o(@in& #nd outr#&in& t1e 0or%d 01en individu#%s, nu$)erin& #n;01ere 2ro$ G, to+D,, 0ere reported to 1#ve dis#ppe#red durin& t1e $i%it#r; re&i$e in

Ar&entin#. En2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es spre#d in L#tin A$eri(#, #nd t1e issue )e(#$e #n

intern#tion#% (on(ern 01en t1e 0or%d noted its 0idespre#d #nd s;ste$#ti( use ); St#te

se(urit; 2or(es in t1#t (ontinent under Oper#tion Condor37D5#nd durin& t1e irt; /#r37F5in

t1e 46s #nd 47s. !1e es(#%#tion o2 t1e pr#(ti(e s#0 po%iti(#% #(tivists se(ret%;

#rrested, tortured, #nd @i%%ed #s p#rt o2 &overn$ents (ounter-insur&en(; (#$p#i&ns. As

t1is 2or$ o2 po%iti(#% )rut#%it; )e(#$e routine e%se01ere in t1e (ontinent, t1e L#tin

A$eri(#n $edi# st#nd#rdied t1e ter$ dis#ppe#r#n(e to des(ri)e t1e p1eno$enon. !1e

vi(ti$s o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es 0ere (#%%ed t1e "eapa!eci"o,37G5

01i(1 %iter#%%;$e#ns t1e dis#ppe#red ones.3765In &ener#%, t1ere #re t1ree di22erent @inds o2

dis#ppe#r#n(e (#ses'

49 t1ose o2 peop%e #rrested 0it1out 0itnesses or 0it1out positiveidenti2i(#tion o2 t1e #rrestin& #&ents #nd #re never 2ound #in=
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27/69

+9 t1ose o2 prisoners 01o #re usu#%%; #rrested 0it1out #n #ppropri#te

0#rr#nt #nd 1e%d in (o$p%ete iso%#tion 2or 0ee@s or $ont1s 01i%e t1eir

2#$i%ies #re un#)%e to dis(over t1eir 01ere#)outs #nd t1e $i%it#r;#ut1orities den; 1#vin& t1e$ in (ustod; unti% t1e; eventu#%%; re#ppe#r

in one detention (enter or #not1er= #nd

*9 t1ose o2 vi(ti$s o2 s#%v#&in& 01o 1#ve dis#ppe#red unti% t1eir

%i2e%ess )odies #re %#ter dis(overed.3775

In t1e P1i%ippines, en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es &ener#%%; 2#%% 0it1in t1e 2irst t0o

(#te&ories,375#nd 7FF (#ses 0ere re(orded durin& t1e period o2 $#rti#% %#0 2ro$ 46+

unti% 47G. O2 t1is nu$)er, FF re$#ined $issin&, 4*+ sur2#(ed #%ive #nd 4+6 0ere

2ound de#d. urin& 2or$er President Cor#on C. AARAPA!AN, # %o(#% non-&overn$ent#% orni#tion, reports

t1#t #s o2 M#r(1 *4, +7, t1e re(ords s1o0 t1#t t1ere 0ere # tot#% o2 4* vi(ti$s o2

en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e under in(u$)ent President :%ori# M. Arro;os

#d$inistr#tion. !1e Co$$ission on Hu$#n Ri&1ts re(ords s1o0 # tot#% o2 G*G veri2ied

(#ses o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es 2ro$ 47F to 4*. O2 t1is nu$)er, DG re$#ined

$issin&, + sur2#(ed #%ive, G+ 0ere 2ound de#d, #nd 6G sti%% 1#ve undeter$ined st#tus.35Current%;, t1e United N#tions /or@in& :roup on En2or(ed or Invo%unt#r;

is#ppe#r#n(e345reports G4 outst#ndin& (#ses o2 en2or(ed or invo%unt#r; dis#ppe#r#n(es

(overin& t1e period e(e$)er 4, +6 to Nove$)er *, +7.3+5

Enforced Disappearances

Under Philippine La

!1eAmparoRu%e epress%; provides t1#t t1e 0rit s1#%% (over etr#%e% @i%%in&s

#nd en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es or t1re#ts t1ereo2.3*5 /e note t1#t #%t1ou&1 t1e 0rit

spe(i2i(#%%; (overs en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es, t1is (on(ept is neit1er de2ined nor

pen#%ied in t1is urisdi(tion. !1e re(ords o2 t1e Supre$e Court Co$$ittee on t1eRevision o2 Ru%es 8Committeereve#% t1#t t1e dr#2ters o2 t1eAmparo Ru%e initi#%%;

(onsidered providin& #n e%e$ent#% de2inition o2 t1e (on(ept o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e'3D5

JUS!ICE MAR!INEZ' I )e%ieve t1#t 2irst #nd 2ore$ost 0e s1ou%d (o$eup or 2or$u%#te # spe(i2i( de2inition 32or5 etr#udi(i#% @i%%in&s #nd

en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es. ?ro$ t1#t de2inition, t1en 0e (#n pro(eed to

2or$u%#te t1e ru%es, de2inite ru%es (on(ernin& t1e s#$e.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn88http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn88http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn89http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn89http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn90http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn91http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn92http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn92http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn93http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn94http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn88http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn89http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn90http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn91http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn92http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn93http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftn94


28/69

CHIE? JUS!ICE PUNO' A thin* tan", the!e i no la? penaliBin*e


29/69

#nd #s su(1 does not di$inis1, in(re#se or $odi2; su)st#ntive ri&1ts, t1e %e% prote(tion

t1#t t1e Court (#n provide (#n )e ver; $e#nin&2u% t1rou&1 t1e pro(edures it sets in

#ddressin& etr#udi(i#% @i%%in&s #nd en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es. !1e Court, t1rou&1 its

pro(edur#% ru%es, (#n set t1eprocedura standards #nd t1ere); dire(t%; (o$pe% t1e pu)%i(

#ut1orities to #(t on #(tu#% or t1re#tened vio%#tions o2 (onstitution#% ri&1ts. !o st#te t1eo)vious, udi(i#% intervention (#n $#@e # di22eren(e B even i2 on%; pro(edur#%%; B in #

situ#tion 01en t1e ver; s#$e investitin& pu)%i( #ut1orities $#; 1#ve 1#d # 1#nd in t1e

t1re#tened or #(tu#% vio%#tions o2 (onstitution#% ri&1ts.

Lest t1is Court intervention )e $isunderstood, 0e (%#ri2; on(e #in t1#t 0e do

not ru%e on #n; issue o2 crimina cupabiity 2or t1e etr#udi(i#% @i%%in& or en2or(ed

dis#ppe#r#n(e. !1is is #n issue t1#t re


30/69

%oved ones #nd su22er #s 0e%% t1e serious e(ono$i( 1#rds1ip #nd povert; t1#t in $ost

(#ses 2o%%o0 t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 t1e 1ouse1o%d )re#d0inner.34+5

!1e UN :ener#% Asse$)%; 2irst (onsidered t1e issue o2 is#ppe#red Persons in

e(e$)er 467 under Reso%ution **46*. !1e Reso%ution epressed t1e :ener#%Asse$)%;s deep (on(ern #risin& 2ro$ reports 2ro$ v#rious p#rts o2 t1e 0or%d re%#tin& to

en2or(ed or invo%unt#r; dis#ppe#r#n(es, #nd re


31/69

!1e Convention is t1e 2irst univers#% 1u$#n ri&1ts instru$ent to #ssert t1#t t1ere is

# ri&1t not to )e su)e(t to en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e 3465#nd t1#t t1is ri&1t is non-dero)%e.3475 It provides t1#t no one s1#%% )e su)e(ted to en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e under #n;(ir(u$st#n(es, )e it # st#te o2 0#r, intern#% po%iti(#% inst#)i%it;, or #n; ot1er pu)%i(

e$er&en(;. It o)%i&es St#te P#rties to (odi2; en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e #s #n o22ense

punis1#)%e 0it1 #ppropri#te pen#%ties under t1eir (ri$in#% %#0.345

It #%so re(o&nies t1eri&1t o2 re%#tives o2 t1e dis#ppe#red persons #nd o2 t1e so(iet; #s # 01o%e to @no0 t1e

trut1 on t1e 2#te #nd 01ere#)outs o2 t1e dis#ppe#red #nd on t1e pro&ress #nd resu%ts o2

t1e investition.3445 L#st%;, it (%#ssi2ies en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e #s # (ontinuin& o22ense,su(1 t1#t st#tutes o2 %i$it#tions s1#%% not #pp%; unti% t1e 2#te #nd 01ere#)outs o2 t1e

vi(ti$ #re est#)%is1ed.34445

#inding Effect of U$

%ction on the Philippines

!o d#te, t1e P1i%ippines 1#s neither signed nor rati"iedt1e Convention, so t1#t t1e(ountr; is not ;et (o$$itted to en#(t #n; %#0 pen#%iin& en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e #s #

(ri$e. !1e #)sen(e o2 # spe(i2i( pen#% %#0, 1o0ever, is not # stu$)%in& )%o(@ 2or #(tion

2ro$ t1is Court, #s 1ereto2ore $entioned= under%;in& ever; en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e is #

vio%#tion o2 t1e (onstitution#% ri&1ts to %i2e, %i)ert; #nd se(urit; t1#t t1e Supre$e Court is

$#nd#ted ); t1e Constitution to prote(t t1rou&1 its ru%e-$#@in& po0ers.

Sep#r#te%; 2ro$ t1e Constitution 8)ut sti%% pursu#nt to its ter$s9, t1e Court is

&uided, in #(tin& onAmparo(#ses, ); t1e re#%it; t1#t t1e P1i%ippines is # $e$)er o2 t1e

UN, )ound ); its C1#rter #nd ); t1e v#rious (onventions 0e si&ned #nd r#ti2ied,p#rti(u%#r%; t1e (onventions tou(1in& on 1u$#ns ri&1ts. Under t1e UN C1#rter, t1e

P1i%ippines p%ed&ed to pro$ote univers#% respe(t 2or, #nd o)serv#n(e o2, 1u$#n ri&1ts

#nd 2und#$ent#% 2reedo$s 2or #%% 0it1out distin(tions #s to r#(e, se, %#n&u#&e or

re%i&ion.344+5A%t1ou&1 no univers#% #&ree$ent 1#s )een re#(1ed on t1e pre(ise etent o2

t1e 1u$#n ri&1ts #nd 2und#$ent#% 2reedo$s &u#r#nteed to #%% ); t1e C1#rter, 344*5it 0#s

t1e UN itse%2 t1#t issued t1e e(%#r#tion on en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e, #nd t1is e(%#r#tion

st#tes'344D5

An; #(t o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e is #n offence to "i*nit. It is(onde$ned #s # "enial of the p!poe of the Cha!te! of the #nite"Nation an" a a *!ae an" fla*!ant iolation of h'an !i*ht an"fn"a'ental f!ee"o' p!oclai'e" in the #nie!al &ecla!ation of9'an Ri*ht #nd re#22ir$ed #nd deve%oped in intern#tion#% instru$entsin t1is 2ie%d. 3E$p1#sis supp%ied5
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As # $#tter o2 1u$#n ri&1t #nd 2und#$ent#% 2reedo$ #nd #s # po%i(; $#tter $#de in #

UN e(%#r#tion, t1e )#n on en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e (#nnot )ut 1#ve its e22e(ts on t1e

(ountr;, &iven our o0n #d1eren(e to 2generay accepted principes o" internationa a1

as part o" the a1 o" the and.344F5

In t1e re(ent (#se o2Pharmaceutica and 4eath Care Association o" the

Phiippines v. %u6ue III,344G50e 1e%d t1#t'

Under t1e 476 Constitution, intern#tion#% %#0 (#n )e(o$e p#rt o2

t1e sp1ere o2 do$esti( %#0 eit1er ); t!anfo!'ationor inco!po!ation.!1e tr#ns2or$#tion $et1od reno?n a the opinion &urissi!enecessitates8opinion #s to %#0 or ne(essit;9. I$p%i(it in t1e %#tter e%e$entis #0elief that the p!actice in Fetion i !en"e!e" o0li*ato! 0 thee


33/69

irst, )#re%; t0o ;e#rs 2ro$ t1e #doption o2 t1e e(%#r#tion, t1e Orni#tion o2

A$eri(#n St#tes 8OA*9 :ener#% Asse$)%; #dopted t1e Inter-A$eri(#n Convention on

En2or(ed is#ppe#r#n(e o2 Persons in June 4D.34++5 St#te p#rties undertoo@ under t1is

Convention not to pr#(ti(e, per$it, or to%er#te t1e 2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 persons, even

in st#tes o2 e$er&en(; or suspension o2 individu#% &u#r#ntees.34+*5

One o2 t1e @e;provisions in(%udes t1e St#tes o)%ition to en#(t t1e (ri$e o2 2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e in

t1eir respe(tive n#tion#% (ri$in#% %#0s #nd to est#)%is1 urisdi(tion over su(1 (#ses 01en

t1e (ri$e 0#s (o$$itted 0it1in t1eir urisdi(tion, 01en t1e vi(ti$ is # n#tion#% o2 t1#t

St#te, #nd 01en t1e #%%e&ed (ri$in#% is 0it1in its territor; #nd it does not pro(eed to

etr#dite 1i$, 01i(1 (#n )e interpreted #s est#)%is1in& univers#% urisdi(tion #$on& t1e

p#rties to t1e Inter-A$eri(#n Convention.34+D5 At present, Co%o$)i#, :u#te$#%#,

P#r#&u#;, Peru #nd Veneue%# 1#ve en#(ted sep#r#te %#0s in #((ord#n(e 0it1 t1e Inter-

A$eri(#n Convention #nd 1#ve de2ined #(tivities invo%vin& en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e to )e

(ri$in#%.

34+F5

*econd, in Europe, t1e Europe#n Convention on Hu$#n Ri&1ts 1#s no ep%i(it

provision de#%in& 0it1 t1e prote(tion #inst en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e. !1e Europe#n

Court o2 Hu$#n Ri&1ts 8#C4R9, 1o0ever, 1#s #pp%ied t1e Convention in # 0#; t1#t

provides #$p%e prote(tion 2or t1e under%;in& ri&1ts #22e(ted ); en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e

t1rou&1 t1e Conventions Arti(%e + on t1e ri&1t to %i2e= Arti(%e * on t1e pro1i)ition o2

torture= Arti(%e F on t1e ri&1t to %i)ert; #nd se(urit;= Arti(%e G, p#r#&r#p1 4 on t1e ri&1t to

# 2#ir tri#%= #nd Arti(%e 4* on t1e ri&1t to #n e22e(tive re$ed;. A %e#din& e#$p%e

de$onstr#tin& t1e prote(tion #22orded ); t1e Europe#n Convention is'urt v. Tur!e;,34+G501ere t1e ECHR 2ound # vio%#tion o2 t1e ri&1t to %i)ert; #nd se(urit; o2 t1e

dis#ppe#red person 01en t1e #pp%i(#nts son dis#ppe#red #2ter )ein& t#@en into (ustod;

); !ur@is1 2or(es in t1e >urdis1 vi%%#&e o2 A&i%%i in Nove$)er 4*. It 2urt1er 2ound t1e

#pp%i(#nt 8t1e dis#ppe#red persons $ot1er9 to )e # vi(ti$ o2 # vio%#tion o2 Arti(%e *, #s #

resu%t o2 t1e si%en(e o2 t1e #ut1orities #nd t1e in#de


34/69

iniartiga v. Pena9Iraa34*5t1#t t1e pro1i)ition on torture 1#d #tt#ined t1e st#tus o2

(usto$#r; intern#tion#% %#0. !1e (ourt 2urt1er e%#)or#ted on t1e si&ni2i(#n(e o2 UN

de(%#r#tions, #s 2o%%o0s'

!1ese U.N. de(%#r#tions #re si&ni2i(#nt )e(#use t1e; spe(i2; 0it1

&re#t pre(ision t1e o)%itions o2 $e$)er n#tions under t1e C1#rter. Sin(e

t1eir #doption, Q8$9e$)ers (#n no %on&er (ontend t1#t t1e; do not @no001#t 1u$#n ri&1ts t1e; pro$ised in t1e C1#rter to pro$ote. Moreover, #

U.N. e(%#r#tion is, #((ordin& to one #ut1orit#tive de2inition, Q# 2or$#%

#nd so%e$n instru$ent, suit#)%e 2or r#re o((#sions 01en prin(ip%es o2 &re#t#nd %#stin& i$port#n(e #re )ein& enun(i#ted. A((ordin&%;, it 1#s )een

o)served t1#t t1e Univers#% e(%#r#tion o2 Hu$#n Ri&1ts Qno %on&er 2its

into t1e di(1oto$; o2 )indin& tre#t; #inst non-)indin&

pronoun(e$ent, )ut is r#t1er #n #ut1orit#tive st#te$ent o2 t1eintern#tion#% (o$$unit;.Q !1us, # e(%#r#tion (re#tes #n epe(t#tion o2

#d1eren(e, #nd Qinso2#r #s t1e epe(t#tion is &r#du#%%; usti2ied ); St#te

pr#(ti(e, # de(%#r#tion $#; ); (usto$ )e(o$e re(o&nied #s %#;in& do0nru%es )indin& upon t1e St#tes.Q Indeed, sever#% (o$$ent#tors 1#ve

(on(%uded t1#t t1e Univers#% e(%#r#tion 1#s )e(o$e, in toto, # p#rt o2

)indin&, (usto$#r; intern#tion#% %#0. 3Cit#tions o$itted5

ourth, in interpretin& Arti(%e + 8ri&1t to #n e22e(tive do$esti( re$ed;9 o2 t1e

Intern#tion#% Convention on Civi% #nd Po%iti(#% Ri&1ts 8ICCPR9, to 01i(1 t1e P1i%ippines

is )ot1 # si&n#tor; #nd # St#te P#rt;, t1e UN Hu$#n Ri&1ts Co$$ittee, under t1e O22i(e

o2 t1e Hi&1 Co$$issioner 2or Hu$#n Ri&1ts, 1#s st#ted t1#t t1e #(t o2 en2or(ed

dis#ppe#r#n(e vio%#tes Arti(%es G 8ri&1t to %i2e9, 6 8pro1i)ition on torture, (rue%, in1u$#n

or de&r#din& tre#t$ent or punis1$ent9 #nd 8ri&1t to %i)ert; #nd se(urit; o2 t1e person9

o2 t1e ICCPR, #nd t1e #(t $#; #%so #$ount to # (ri$e #inst 1u$#nit;.34*45

i"th, Arti(%e 6, p#r#&r#p1 4 o2 t1e 47 Ro$e St#tute est#)%is1in& t1e

Intern#tion#% Cri$in#% Court 8ICC9 #%so (overs en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es inso2#r #s t1e;

#re de2ined #s (ri$es #inst 1u$#nit;,34*+5i.e., (ri$es (o$$itted #s p#rt o2 #

0idespre#d or s;ste$#ti( #tt#(@ #inst #n; (ivi%i#n popu%#tion, 0it1 @no0%ed&e o2 t1e

#tt#(@. /1i%e $ore t1#n 4 (ountries 1#ve r#ti2ied t1e Ro$e St#tute,34**5t1e

P1i%ippines is sti%% $ere%; # si&n#tor; #nd 1#s not ;et r#ti2ied it. /e note t1#t Arti(%e 6849

o2 t1e Ro$e St#tute 1#s )een in(orpor#ted in t1e st#tutes o2 ot1er intern#tion#% #nd 1;)rid

tri)un#%s, in(%udin& Sierr# Leone Spe(i#% Court, t1e Spe(i#% P#ne%s 2or Serious Cri$es in!i$or-Leste, #nd t1e Etr#ordin#r; C1#$)ers in t1e Courts o2 C#$)odi#.34*D5 In #ddition,

t1e i$p%e$entin& %e&is%#tion o2 St#te P#rties to t1e Ro$e St#tute o2 t1e ICC 1#s &iven

rise to # nu$)er o2 n#tion#% (ri$in#% provisions #%so (overin& en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e. 34*F5

/1i%e t1e P1i%ippines is not ;et"ormay)ound ); t1e ter$s o2 t1e Convention on

en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e 8or ); t1e spe(i2i( ter$s o2 t1e Ro$e St#tute9 #nd 1#s not
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35/69


36/69


37/69

government does not a""ordprotectionto these rights especiay 1hen they

are under threat. P!otection incl"e con"ctin* effectieineti*ation, o!*aniBation of the *oe!n'ent appa!at to e of"iappea!ance an" to con"ct a p!o'pt effectie ineti*ation into ana!*a0le clai' that a pe!on ha 0een ta>en into cto" an" ha not0een een ince. 3E$p1#sis supp%ied5

!1ese ru%in&s e22e(tive%; serve #s t1e )#(@drop 2or t1e Ru%e on t1e /rit

o2Amparo, 01i(1 t1e Court $#de e22e(tive on O(to)er +D, +6. A%t1ou&1

t1eAmparo Ru%e sti%% 1#s ps 0#itin& to )e 2i%%ed t1rou&1 su)st#ntive %#0, #s eviden(ed

pri$#ri%; ); t1e %#(@ o2 # (on(rete de2inition o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e, the 'ate!ialcite" a0oe, a'on* othe!, p!oi"e a'ple *i"ance an" tan"a!" on ho?, th!o*h

the 'e"i' of the%mparo Rle, the Co!t can p!oi"e !e'e"ie an" p!otect the

contittional !i*ht to life, li0e!t an" ec!it that n"e!lie ee! enfo!ce"

"iappea!ance.

E!identiary Difficulties Posed
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38/69

by the Uni(ue $ature of an

Enforced Disappearance

"e2ore &oin& into t1e issue o2 01et1er t1e respondent 1#s dis(1#r&ed t1e )urden

o2 provin& t1e #%%etions o2 t1e petition 2or t1e /rit o2 Amparo); t1e de&ree o2 proo2

re


39/69

o2 t1e St#tes po0er to destro; t1e pertinent eviden(e. !1e IACHR des(ri)ed t1e

(on(e#%$ent #s # (%e#r #tte$pt ); t1e St#te to (o$$it t1e per2e(t (ri$e. 34D65

Thirdis t1e ele'ent of "enial= in $#n; (#ses, t1e St#te #ut1orities de%i)er#te%;den; t1#t t1e en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e ever o((urred.34D75eni#)i%it; is (entr#% to t1e

po%i(; o2 en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es, #s t1e #)sen(e o2 #n; proven dis#ppe#r#n(e $#@es ite#sier to es(#pe t1e #pp%i(#tion o2 %e% st#nd#rds ensurin& t1e vi(ti$s 1u$#n ri&1ts.34D5 Eperien(e s1o0s t1#t &overn$ent o22i(i#%s t;pi(#%%; respond to re


40/69

!1ese (1#r#(teristi(s B n#$e%;, o2 )ein& su$$#r; #nd t1e use o2 su)st#nti#%

eviden(e #s t1e re


41/69

su)st#nti#% eviden(e st#nd#rd re&u%#r%; re


42/69

ci!c'tantial ei"ence incl"in* the hea!a teti'on o2 Zen#id# Ve%Ts


43/69

(onsider#tion o2 eviden(e, in(%udin& 1e#rs#; eviden(e, in etr#udi(i#% @i%%in&s #nd

en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e (#ses.

%ssessment of the E!idence

!1e t1res1o%d


44/69

In 1er dire(t testi$on;, t1e respondent pointed to t0o sour(es o2 in2or$#tion #s

1er )#ses 2or 1er #%%etion t1#t !#&istis 1#d )een p%#(ed under &overn$ent (ustod; 8in

(ontr#st 0it1 CI: Z#$)o#n (ustod;9. !1e 2irst 0#s #n unn#$ed 2riend in Z#$)o#n

8%#ter identi2ied #s Co%. An(#n#n9, 01o o((upied # 1i&1 position in t1e $i%it#r; #nd 01o

#%%e&ed%; $entioned t1#t !#&itis 0#s in &ood 1#nds. Not1in& (#$e out o2 t1is (%#i$, #s)ot1 t1e respondent 1erse%2 #nd 1er 0itness, Mrs. !#%)in, 2#i%ed to est#)%is1 t1#t Co%.

An(#n#n ve t1e$ #n; in2or$#tion t1#t !#&itis 0#s in &overn$ent (ustod;. Co%.

An(#n#n, 2or 1is p#rt, #d$itted t1e $eetin& 0it1 t1e respondent )ut denied &ivin& 1er #n;

in2or$#tion #)out t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e.

$he 'o!e pecific an" p!o"ctie o!ce of info!'ation ?a Col.

ai',01o$ t1e respondent, to&et1er 0it1 1er 0itness Mrs. !#%)in, $et in C#$p

>#titip#n in #v#o Cit;. !o


45/69

S1e (on2ir$ed t1is testi$on; in 1er (ross-e#$in#tion'

' ou #%so $entioned t1#t ;ou 0ent to C#$p >#titip#n in #v#oCit;

A' es, $##$.

' An" a ce!tain Col. ai' tol" o that o! h0an" ?aa0"cte" an" n"e! cto"ial ineti*ationM

A' e, 'aa'.

' An" o 'entione" that he ho?e" o a !epo!tM

A' e, 'aa'.

' 8e!e o a0le to !ea" the content of that !epo!tMA' 9e "i" not f!nih 'e a cop of thoe Dsic !epo!t 0ecae thoe

Dsic ?e!e hi*hl confi"ential. $hat i a 'ilita! !epo!t,'aa'.

' /t o ?e!e a0le to !ea" the contentM

A' No. /t he !ea" it in f!ont of , ' f!ien", 'aa'.

' 9o? 'an ?e!e o ?hen o ?ent to ee Col. ai'M

A' $he!e ?e!e th!ee of , 'aa'.

' /1o 0ere ;our (o$p#nions

A' Mrs. !#%)in, tapos yung daa1ang2riends nya2ro$ M#ti Cit;,#v#o Orient#%, $##$.34G+5

' /1en ;ou 0ere to%d t1#t ;our 1us)#nd is in &ood 1#nds, 01#t 0#s;our re#(tion #nd 01#t did ;ou do

A' +ay binasa kasi sya that' h0an" ha aparang'eetin*?ith othe! people na parang mga terorista na mga tao. Tapos#tt1e end o2 t1e report is 3sic5 n"e! cto"ial ineti*ation. So Ito%d 1i$ Co%one%, $; 1us)#nd is si(@. He is di#)eti( at
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nagmemaintain yun ng gamot. Pa!isabi ang sa naghohod sa

asa1a !o na bigyan siya ng gamot, maam.334G*5

' ou $entioned t1#t ;ou re(eived in2or$#tion t1#t En&ineer !#&itisis )ein& 1e%d ); t1e CI: in Z#$)o#n, did ;ou &o to CI:

Z#$)o#n to veri2; t1#t in2or$#tion

A' I did not &o to CI: Z#$)o#n. I 0ent to C#$p >#rin%

inste#d. Enou&1 na yun nae22ort !o)e(#use I @no0 t1#t t1e;

0ou%d den; it, $##$.34GD5

On ?e)ru#r; 44, +7, t1e respondent presented Mrs. !#%)in to (orro)or#te 1er

testi$on; t1#t 1er 1us)#nd 0#s #)du(ted #nd 1e%d under (ustodi#% investition ); t1e

PNP-CI: Z#$)o#n Cit;, vi)8

' ou s#id t1#t ;ou 0ent to C#$p >#titip#n in #v#o Cit; so$eti$e

Nove$)er +D, +6, 01o 0#s 0it1 ;ou 01en ;ou 0ent t1ere

A' M#r; Je#n !#&itis, sir.

' On%; t1e t0o o2 ;ou

A' No. /e 1#ve so$e ot1er (o$p#nions. /e 0ere 2our #t t1#t ti$e, sir.

' /1o 0ere t1e;

A' S#%v#(ion Serr#no, Mini Leon&, Mrs. !#&itis #nd $e, sir.

' /ere ;ou #)%e to t#%@, see so$e ot1er o22i(i#%s #t C#$p >#titip#n

durin& t1#t ti$eA' Co%. >#si$ 8PS Supt. Ju%#siri$ A1#din >#si$9 on%;, sir.

' /ere ;ou #)%e to t#%@ to 1i$

A' es, sir.

' !1e 2our o2 ;ou

A' es, sir.

' /1#t in2or$#tion did ;ou &et 2ro$ Co%. >#si$ durin& t1#t ti$e


47/69

A' !1e 2irst ti$e 0e $et 0it1 31i$5 I #s@ed 1i$ i2 1e @ne0 o2 t1e

e#(t %o(#tion, i2 1e (#n 2urnis1 us t1e %o(#tion o2 En&r.

!#&itis. And 1e 0#s re#din& t1is report. 9e tol" that En*!.$a*iti i in *oo" han". 9e i ?ith the 'ilita!, 0t he i notce!tain ?hethe! he i ?ith the A1P o! PNP. 9e ha thi e!io

cae. 9e ?a cha!*e" of te!!o!i' 0ecae he ?a n"e!!eillance f!o' Jana! 4 p to the ti'e that he ?aa0"cte". 9e tol" that he ?a n"e! cto"ialineti*ation. A Ie ai" ea!lie!, he ?a een n"e!!eillance f!o' Jana!. 9e ?a een tal>in* to O'a! Pati>,a ce!tain Santo of /lacan ?ho i alo a /ali> Ila' an"cha!*e" ?ith te!!o!i'. 9e ?a een ca!!in* 0o


48/69

in 1is testi$on; t1#t t1e in2or$#% %etter 1e re(eived 2ro$ 1is in2or$#nt in Su%u did not

indi(#te t1#t !#&itis 0#s in t1e (ustod; o2 t1e CI:. He #%so stressed t1#t t1e

in2or$#tion 1e provided t1e respondent 0#s $ere%; # r#0 report 2ro$

barangay inte%%i&en(e t1#t sti%% needed (on2ir$#tion #nd 2o%%o0 up #s to its ver#(it;.34G65

!o )e sure, t1e respondents #nd Mrs. !#%)ins testi$onies 0ere 2#r 2ro$ per2e(t,

#s t1e petitioners pointed out. !1e respondent $ist#@en%; (1#r#(teried Co%. >#si$ #s #

$i%it#r; o22i(er 01o to%d 1er t1#t 1er 1us)#nd is )ein& #)du(ted )e(#use 1e is under

(ustodi#% investition )e(#use 1e is #%%e&ed%; parang iason ng J.I. !1e petitioners

#%so noted t1#t Mrs. !#%)ins testi$on; i$putin& (ert#in st#te$ents to Sr. Supt. >#si$

t1#t En&r. !#&itis is 0it1 t1e $i%it#r;, )ut 1e is not (ert#in 01et1er it is t1e PNP or A?P is

not 0ort1; o2 )e%ie2, sin(e Sr. Supt. >#si$ is # 1i&1 r#n@in& po%i(e o22i(er 01o 0ou%d

(ert#in%; @no0 t1#t t1e PNP is not p#rt o2 t1e $i%it#r;.

Upon deeper (onsider#tion o2 t1ese in(onsisten(ies, 1o0ever, 01#t #ppe#rs (%e#r

to us is t1#t t1e petitioners never re#%%; ste#d2#st%; disputed or presented eviden(e to

re2ute t1e (redi)i%it; o2 t1e respondent #nd 1er 0itness, Mrs. !#%)in. !1e in(onsisten(ies

t1e petitioners point out re%#te, $ore t1#n #n;t1in& e%se, to det#i%s t1#t s1ou%d not #22e(t

t1e (redi)i%it; o2 t1e respondent #nd Mrs. !#%)in= t1e in(onsisten(ies #re not on $#teri#%

points.34G75 /e note, 2or e#$p%e, t1#t t1ese 0itnesses #re %#; peop%e in so 2#r #s $i%it#r;

#nd po%i(e $#tters #re (on(erned, #nd (on2usion )et0een t1e po%i(e #nd t1e $i%it#r; is

not unusu#%. As # ru%e, $inor in(onsisten(ies su(1 #s t1ese indi(#te trut12u%ness r#t1er

t1#n prev#ri(#tion34G5#nd on%; tend to stren&t1en t1eir pro)#tive v#%ue, in (ontr#st to

testi$onies 2ro$ v#rious 0itnesses dovet#i%in& on ever; det#i%= t1e %#tter (#nnot )ut

&ener#te suspi(ion t1#t t1e $#teri#% (ir(u$st#n(es t1e; testi2ied to 0ere inte&r#% p#rts o2 #

0e%% t1ou&1t o2 #nd pre2#)ri(#ted stor;.3465

/ae" on thee coni"e!ation an" the niFe ei"entia! itation in

enfo!ce" "iappea!ance cae, ?e hol" it "l eta0lihe" that Col. ai' info!'e"

the !epon"ent an" he! f!ien", 0ae" on the info!'ant lette!, that $a*iti,

!epte"l a liaion fo! the JI an" ?ho ha" 0een n"e! !eillance ince Jana!

4, ?a :in *oo" han" an" n"e! cto"ial ineti*ation fo! co'plicit ?ith theJI afte! he ?a een tal>in* to one O'a! Pati> an" a ce!tain :Santo of /lacan, a

:/ali> Ila' cha!*e" ?ith te!!o!i'. !1e respondents #nd Mrs. !#%)ins testi$onies

(#nnot si$p%; )e de2e#ted ); Co%. >#si$s p%#in deni#% #nd 1is (%#i$ t1#t 1e 1#d

destro;ed 1is in2or$#nts %etter, t1e (riti(#% pie(e o2 eviden(e t1#t supports or netes t1e

p#rties (on2%i(tin& (%#i$s. Co%. >#si$s #d$itted destru(tion o2 t1is %etter B e22e(tive%;, #
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on%; t1e in#si$ t1#t ;ie%ded positive resu%ts. Co%. >#si$s stor;,

1o0ever, (on2ir$ed on%; t1e 2#(t o2 1is (ustodi#% investition 8#nd, i$p%ied%;, 1is #rrest

or #)du(tion9, 0it1out identi2;in& 1is #)du(tors or t1e p#rt; 1o%din& 1i$ in (ustod;. !1e

$ore si&ni2i(#nt p#rt o2 Co%. >#si$s stor; is t1#t t1e #)du(tion (#$e #2ter !#&itis 0#s

seen t#%@in& 0it1 O$#r P#ti@ #nd # (ert#in S#ntos o2 "u%#(#n, # "#%i@ Is%#$ (1#r&ed0it1 terroris$. Mrs. !#%)in $entioned, too, t1#t !#&itis 0#s )ein& 1e%d #t !#%ip#p#o,

Su%u.$one o" the poice agencies participating in the investigation ever pursued these

eads. Not#)%;, !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS to 01i(1 t1is in2or$#tion 0#s re%#;ed did not

#ppe#r to 1#ve %i2ted # 2in&er to pursue t1ese #spe(ts o2 t1e (#se.

More deni#%s 0ere $#ni2ested in t1e Returns on t1e 0rit to t1e CA $#de ); t1e

petitioners. !1en PNP C1ie2 :en. Ave%ino I. R#on $ere%; reported t1e dire(tives 1e sent

to t1e ARMM Re&ion#% ire(tor #nd t1e Re&ion#% C1ie2 o2 t1e CI: on !#&itis, #nd

t1ese reports $ere%; reiter#ted t1e open-ended initi#% report o2 t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e. !1eCI: dire(ted # se#r(1 in #%% o2 its divisions 0it1 netive resu%ts. !1ese, to t1e PNP

C1ie2, (onstituted t1e e1#ustion o2 #%% possi)%e e22orts. PNP-CI: C1ie2 :ener#%

Edrdo M. oro$#%, 2or 1is p#rt, #%so reported netive resu%ts #2ter se#r(1in& #%%

divisions #nd dep#rt$ents 3o2 t1e CI:5 2or # person n#$ed En&r. Mor(ed N. !#&itis . . .

#nd #2ter # di%i&ent #nd t1orou&1 rese#r(1, re(ords s1o0 t1#t no su(1 person is )ein&

det#ined in t1e CI: or #n; o2 its dep#rt$ent or divisions. PNP-PACER C1ie2 PS Supt.

Leon#rdo A. Espin# #nd PNP PRO ARMM Re&ion#% ire(tor PC Superintendent Joe% R.

:o%ti#o did no )etter in t1eir #22id#vits-returns, #s t1e; essenti#%%; reported t1e resu%ts o2

t1eir dire(tives to t1eir units to se#r(1 2or !#&itis.

!1e etent to 01i(1 t1e po%i(e #ut1orities #(ted 0#s 2u%%; tested 01en t1e CA

(onstituted !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS, 0it1 spe(i2i( dire(tives on 01#t to do. !1e

netive resu%ts re2%e(ted in t1e Returns on t1e 0rit 0ere #in rep%i(#ted durin& t1e t1ree

1e#rin&s t1e CA s(1edu%ed. Aside 2ro$ t1e previous%; $entioned retr#(tion t1#t Pro2.

M#t%i $#de to (orre(t 1is #((us#tion t1#t !#&itis too@ $one; 1e%d in trust 2or students, PS

Supt. Airi$ reiter#ted in 1is testi$on; t1#t t1e CI: (onsistent%; denied #n; @no0%ed&e

or (o$p%i(it; in #n; #)du(tion #nd s#id t1#t t1ere 0#s no )#sis to (on(%ude t1#t t1e CI:

or #n; po%i(e unit 1#d #n;t1in& to do 0it1 t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 !#&itis= 1e %i@e0ise

(onsidered it pre$#ture to (on(%ude t1#t !#&itis si$p%; r#n #0#; 0it1 t1e $one; in 1is

(ustod;. As #%re#d; noted #)ove, t1e !AS> ?ORCE not#)%; did not pursue #n;

investition #)out t1e person#% (ir(u$st#n(es o2 !#&itis, 1is )#(@&round in re%#tion to

t1e I" #nd t1e )#(@&round #nd #(tivities o2 t1is "#n@ itse%2, #nd t1e reported si&1tin& o2

!#&istis 0it1 terrorists #nd 1is #%%e&ed (ustod; in !#%ip#p#o, Su%u. No #tte$pt #ppe#rs to

1#ve ever )een $#de to %oo@ into t1e #%%e&ed I" 2unds t1#t !#&itis 1e%d in trust, or to t#p


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#n; o2 t1e #ssets 01o #re indispens#)%e in investitions o2 t1is n#ture. !1ese

o$issions #nd netive resu%ts 0ere #&&r#v#ted ); t1e CA 2indin&s t1#t it 0#s on%; #s %#te

#s J#nu#r; +7, +7 or t1ree $ont1s #2ter t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e t1#t t1e po%i(e #ut1orities

re#si$ (ou%d not #ttend t1e tri#% )e(#use 1is

su)poen# 0#s not served, despite t1e 2#(t t1#t 1e 0#s desi&n#ted #s Airi$s rep%#(e$entin t1e %#tters %#st post. !1us, Co%. >#si$ 0#s not t1en #si$, 1o0ever, eventu#%%; denied t1#t 1e ever $#de t1e dis(%osure t1#t !#&itis 0#s

under (ustodi#% investition 2or (o$p%i(it; in terroris$. Anothe! "itinctie t!ait that!n th!o*h thee "eelop'ent i the *oe!n'ent "i'iie app!oach to the

"iappea!ance,st#rtin& 2ro$ t1e initi#% response ); t1e Jo%o po%i(e to >unnon&s initi#%

reports o2 t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e, to t1e responses $#de to t1e respondent 01en s1e 1erse%2

reported #nd in ?ORCE

!A:I!IS itse%2.

As t1e CA 2ound t1rou&1 !AS> ?ORCE !A:I!IS, t1e investition 0#s #t )est

1#p1##rd sin(e t1e #ut1orities 0ere %oo@in& 2or # $#n 01ose pi(ture t1e; initi#%%; did

not even se(ure. !1e returns #nd reports $#de to t1e CA 2#red no )etter, #s t1e CI:

e22orts t1e$se%ves 0ere (on2ined to se#r(1in& 2or (ustodi#% re(ords o2 !#&itis in their

various departments and divisions. !o point out t1e o)vious, i2 t1e #)du(tion o2 !#&itis

0#s # )%#(@ oper#tion )e(#use it 0#s unre(orded or o22i(i#%%; un#ut1oried, no re(ord

o2 (ustod; 0ou%d ever #ppe#r in t1e CI: re(ords= !#&itis, too, 0ou%d not )e det#ined in

t1e usu#% po%i(e or CI: detention p%#(es. In ', none of the !epo!t on !eco!"

contain an 'eanin*fl !elt o! "etail on the "epth an" e


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1ollo?in* the lea" of thi $!>ih e


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89ERE1ORE, pre$ises (onsidered, 0e &ENt1e petitioners petition 2or

revie0 on certiorari2or %#(@ o2 $erit, #nd A11IR-t1e de(ision o2 t1e Court o2 Appe#%s

d#ted M#r(1 6, +7 under t1e 2o%%o0in& ter$s'

#. Re(o&nition t1#t t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&ineer Mor(ed N. !#&itis is

#n en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e (overed ); t1e Ru%e on t1e /rit o2 Amparo=

). /it1out #n; spe(i2i( pronoun(e$ent on e#(t #ut1ors1ip #nd

responsi)i%it;, de(%#rin& t1e &overn$ent 8t1rou&1 t1e PNP #nd t1e PNP-

CI:9 #nd Co%one% Ju%#siri$ A1#din >#si$ #((ount#)%e 2or t1e

en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&ineer Mor(ed N. !#&itis=

(. Con2ir$#tion o2 t1e v#%idit; o2 t1e /rit o2Amparo t1e Court o2

Appe#%s issued=

d. Ho%din& t1e PNP, t1rou&1 t1e PNP C1ie2, #nd t1e PNP-CI:,

t1rou&1 its C1ie2, dire(t%; responsi)%e 2or t1e dis(%osure o2 $#teri#% 2#(ts

@no0n to t1e &overn$ent #nd to t1eir o22i(es rerdin& t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e

o2 En&ineer Mor(ed N. !#&itis, #nd 2or t1e (ondu(t o2 proper

investitions usin& etr#ordin#r; di%i&en(e, 0it1 t1e o)%ition to s1o0

investition resu%ts #((ept#)%e to t1is Court=

e. Orderin& Co%one% Ju%#siri$ A1#din >#si$ i$p%e#ded in t1is (#se #nd

1o%din& 1i$ #((ount#)%e 0it1 t1e o)%ition to dis(%ose in2or$#tion

@no0n to 1i$ #nd to 1is #ssets in re%#tion 0it1 t1e en2or(ed

dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 En&ineer Mor(ed N. !#&itis=

2. Re2errin& t1is (#se )#(@ to t1e Court o2 Appe#%s 2or #ppropri#te

pro(eedin&s dire(ted #t t1e $onitorin& o2 t1e PNP #nd PNP-CI:

investitions, #(tions #nd t1e v#%id#tion o2 t1eir resu%ts= t1e PNP #nd t1e

PNP-CI: s1#%% initi#%%; present to t1e Court o2 Appe#%s # p%#n o2 #(tion

2or 2urt1er investition, periodi(#%%; reportin& t1eir resu%ts to t1e Court o2

Appe#%s 2or (onsider#tion #nd #(tion=

&. Re


56/69

!1ese dire(tives #nd t1ose o2 t1e Court o2 Appe#%s $#de pursu#nt to t1is

e(ision s1#%% )e &iven to, #nd s1#%% )e dire(t%; en2or(e#)%e #inst, 01oever $#; )e t1e

in(u$)ent C1ie2s o2 t1e P1i%ippine N#tion#% Po%i(e #nd its Cri$in#% Investition #nd

ete(tion :roup, under p#in o2 (onte$pt 2ro$ t1is Court 01en t1e initi#tives #nd e22orts#t dis(%osure #nd investition (onstitute %ess t1#n t1e etr#ordin#r; di%i&en(e t1#t t1e

Ru%e on t1e /rit o2Amparo#nd t1e (ir(u$st#n(es o2 t1is (#se de$#nd. :iven t1e

uni


57/69

PRES/I$ERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Asso(i#te Justi(e

$ERESI$A J. LEONAR&O+&E CAS$ROAsso(i#te Justi(e

L#CAS P. /ERSA-IN Asso(i#te Justi(e

RO/ER$O A. A/A& Asso(i#te Justi(e

AN$ONIO EAR&O /. NAC9#RA Asso(i#te Justi(e

&IOS&A&O -. PERAL$A Asso(i#te Justi(e

-ARIANO C. &EL CAS$ILLO Asso(i#te Justi(e

+%RT"$ S* ,"LL%R%+%' JR* Asso(i#te Justi(e

C RTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution,

it is here! certifie" that the conclusions in the

ao#e $ecision %ere reache" in consultation efore the case %as

assi&ne" to the %riter of the o'inion of the Court(

RENA$O S. P#NO C1ie2 Justi(e

345 Under Ru%e DF o2 t1e Ru%es o2 Court= roo, pp. 7+G-4.3+5Penned ); Asso(i#te Justi(e Vi(ente . Ro#s #nd (on(urred in ); Asso(i#te Justi(e

H#@i$ S. A)du%0#1id #nd Asso(i#te Justi(e Arturo :. !#;#&= roo,pp. 47-4+7.3*5 Se(tion 4 o2 t1e Ru%e on t1e /rit o2Amparost#tes' SEC!ION 4.Petition. B !1e petition 2or # 0rit o2 amparo is # re$ed;

#v#i%#)%e to #n; person 01ose ri&1t to %i2e, %i)ert; #nd se(urit; is vio%#ted or
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t1re#tened 0it1 vio%#tion ); #n un%#02u% #(t or o$ission o2 # pu)%i( o22i(i#% or

e$p%o;ee, or o2 # priv#te individu#% or entit;.

!1e 0rit s1#%% (over etr#%e% @i%%in&s #nd en2or(ed dis#ppe#r#n(es or

t1re#ts t1ereo2.3D5

A.M. No. 6--4+-SC, O(to)er +D, +6.3F5S0orn A22id#vit o2 Arsi$in H. >unnon& d#ted Nove$)er 6, +6= roo, p. *D7.3G5S0orn A22id#vit o2 Rion Ad#$ d#ted Nove$)er +, +6= roo, p. *D.365*upranote D.375Id.35Id.345Anne C= roo, pp. 4*F-4D*.3445CA Reso%ution d#ted e(e$)er +7, +D, CA roo, pp. 4*-4G. !1e CA re


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3+5!1e 1e#rin&s 0ere (ondu(ted on J#nu#r; 46, +7, J#nu#r; +7, +7, #nd ?e)ru#r; 44,

+7 respe(tive%;.3+45CA Reso%ution d#ted J#nu#r; 44, +7, roo, pp. +7-+7*.3++5!SN, J#nu#r; 46, +7, pp. 4-44= CA Reso%ution d#ted J#nu#r; 47, +7, CA roo,

pp. +7*-+7G.3+*5

E1i)it G, CA roo, p. +F.3+D5!SN, J#nu#r; 46, +7, p. 66.3+F5Id.3+G5Id. #t 7-74.3+65Anne L= roo, pp. *D6.3+75CA roo, pp. *44-*4*.3+5!SN, J#nu#r; 6, +7, p. +.3*5 Id.#t +4.3*45Id. #t ++. Mr. Rud; S#%v#dor %#ter ee(uted #n #22id#vit d#ted J#nu#r; +4, +7

det#i%in& t1e #ssist#n(e 1e provided 2or t1e respondent in %o(#tin& t1e 01ere#)outs o2

1er 1us)#nd, vi)'

!1#t on Nove$)er 4+, +6, Ms. M#r; Je#n ". !#&itis, $; 2or$er st#22

in L#nd "#n@ o2 t1e P1i%ippines i&os "r#n(1 i&os Cit;, (#$e to $;o22i(e #t L#nd "#n@ P1i%ippines, "##d# "r#n(1, "##d#, #v#o Cit;

#s@in& 2or 1e%p rerdin& t1e #)du(tion o2 1er 1us)#nd En&r. Mor(ed

!#&itis, # Senior Honor#r; Counse%or o2 t1e Is%#$i( eve%op$ent "#n@S(1o%#rs1ip Pro&r#$ #nd # /or%d "#n@ Consu%t#nt 01o 0#s presu$ed to

)e #)du(ted in Jo%o, Su%u on O(to)er *, +6=

urin& our $eetin&, I i$$edi#te%; (#%%ed up $; 2riends in t1e $i%it#r;#s@in& t1e$ # 2#vor to 1e%p 1er to 2ind t1e 01ere#)outs 1er 1us)#nd En&r.

Mor(ed !#&itis=

A2ter t1en, 0e 2#ed # %etter to PCSUP! ROOL?O ". MENOZA JR.

o2 t1e PHILIPPINE NA!IONAL POLICE, CAMP CRAME, UEZON

CI! #ppe#%in& 2or #ssist#n(e in %o(#tin&t1erin& in2or$#tion on t1e#)du(tion o2 En&r. Mor(ed N. !#&itis. E1i)it C, !SN, J#nu#r; +7, +7,

p. 7-.3*+5Id. #t +*.3**5!SN, J#nu#r; 46, +7, pp. 47-+.3*D5Id. #t *D-*F.3*F5Id. #t +D-+F.3*G5Id. #t **.3*65Id. #t D6-DD= roo, pp. 66+-66*. Co%. An(#n#n %#ter ee(uted #n #22id#vit d#ted J#nu#r;

*, +7 (ontr#di(tin& t1e respondents #%%etions. !1e pertinent portions o2 t1e

#22id#vit st#te'

*. !1#t, $id o2 Nove$)er +6, Mrs. !#&itis o2 #v#o Cit; #ppe#red

)e2ore our o22i(e #nd #s@ed 2or 1e%p#ssist#n(e in %o(#tin& 1er 1us)#nd

#%%e&ed%; $issin& sin(e Nove$)er D, +6 in Jo%o, Su%u=
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D. !1#t, I to%d 1er t1#t 1er pro)%e$ 0#s pure%; # po%i(e $#tter 01i(1 does

not 2#%% under our $#nd#te )ut t1#t nonet1e%ess I 0#s 0i%%in& to etend $;

1e%p= F. !1#t durin& our (onvers#tion, I #s@ed 1er to provide $e 0it1 so$e

do(u$entsin2or$#tion 2or purposes o2 )#(@ tr#(@in&tr#(in& t1e possi)%e

person#%ities 01o$ 1er 1us)#nd supposed%; $et in Jo%o )e2ore 1e 0#sreported $issin&. Ho0ever, t1is did not $#teri#%ie )e(#use Mrs. !#&itis 0#s

1esit#nt to produ(e s#id do(u$entsin2or$#tion 2or #n un@no0n re#son=

G. !1#t durin& t1e Joint Re0#rd V#%u#tion (on2eren(e 8JRVC9 on J#nu#r;+, +7, I 0#s #stonis1ed 01en PS SUP! JOSE VOLPANE PAN!E,

Re&ion#% C1ie2 RCIU, in2or$ed $e t1#t #((ordin&%; 8si(9 I 0#s t1e one

01o to%d Mrs. !#&itis t1#t 1er 1us)#nd 0#s in t1e (ustod; o2 t1e RCIU =

6. !1#t in t1e (ourse o2 $; (onvers#tion 0it1 Mrs. !#&itis, I never to%d 1eror $#de $ention o2 #n; 0ord to t1#t e22e(t i$p%i(#tin& t1e CI: personne%

p#rti(u%#r%; $e$)ers o2 RCIU #s )ein& responsi)%e or invo%ved in t1e

dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 1er 1us)#nd, En&r. Mor(ed !#&itis=

!1#t I #$ ee(utin& t1is #22id#vit to (ontr#di(t #nd dispute t1e#%%etion o2 Mrs. !#&itis t1#t I to%d 1er t1#t t1e CI: personne% 0ere

invo%ved in t1e dis#ppe#r#n(e o2 1er 1us)#nd.3*75Id. #t D7-F+.3*5!SN, ?e)ru#r; 44, +7, p. D*.3D5Id. #t DD-D6= roo, pp. 77-7.3D45Id. #t 74-744.3D+5!SN, ?e)ru#r; 44, +7, p. +.3D*5Id. #t *4-*+.3DD5Id. #t *+-**.3DF5Id. #t **-*D.3DG5Id. #t *G.3D65Id. #t D4.3D75!SN, J#nu#r; +7, +7, pp. DF-DG.3D5Id. #t F.3F5Id. #t G4-G*.3F45Id. #t 7-74. P#r#&r#p1 4* o2 Pro2. M#t%is J#nu#r; +G, +7 #22id#vit st#tes'

4*. Contr#r; to t1e (ontents o2 t1e #22id#vit I si&ned on J#nu#r; D, +7, it

0#s not I 01o s#id t1#t "rot1er En&r.3sic5 Mor(ed (onverted t1e $one;t1#t 0ere entrusted #nd deposited to )e 3sic5 s#id institution 1e 0#s

0or@in& 0it1, ); $e#ns o2 de(eit2u% per2or$#n(e, &r#ve #)use o2 trust #nd

(on2iden(e, $is#ppropri#te, $is#pp%; #nd (onvert t1e s#$e to 1is o0nperson#% #nd 3sic5 )ene2its 8P#r#&r#p1 G o2 J#nu#r; D, +7 A22id#vit9 #nd

it 0#s not #%so I 01o s#id' !1#t, I #$ #ppe#rin& )e2ore t1e (o$petent

#ut1orit; in order to reve#% t1e trut1 o2 2#(ts t1#t En&r. 3sic5 Mor(ed!#&itis, 1#ve reported%; t#@en #nd (#rried #0#; t1e deposited #)ove

$entioned I" S(1o%#rs1ip ?und 01o 0#s 3sic5 entrusted to 1is o0n

person#% #((ount.3F+5Id. #t 74.
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/december2009/182498.htm#_ftnref38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/d

Gr182498 Razon v Tagitis

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