The Supreme Court has granted extra protection to the family of an interpreter for US troops who died under mysterious circumstances in Marawi City, after they claimed receiving threats for pursuing the case.
The high court issued the writ of amparo to 28 relatives of Gregan Cardeño, led by Gregan’s wife Myrna, sister Carivel and sister-in-law Lorraine, who filed the petition.
Contained in an SC resolution dated June 15 but sent out on June 22, the writ of amparo enjoins government officials to protect Cardeño’s relatives against threats from and acts of surveillance by military officials, who they suspect to be involved in events that led to Gregan’s death and are attempting to cover up the incident.
The SC likewise granted the family’s petition for writ of habeas data, which obliges the police and military to transmit to either the Court of Appeals (CA) or to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) all reports and evidence on the deaths of Cardeño and Maj. Javier Ignacio.
Ignacio, commanding officer of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom)’s Military Police, was helping the family conduct its own investigation when he was himself killed.
The SC resolution further directed the CA to hear on July 1 the petitioners’ requests, which include permission to inspect Gregan’s room in Camp Ranao.
The respondents are outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission, the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, Wesmincom Commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, Philippine National Police director general Jesus Verzosa, and 12 other officers of the local police and military, and of the US soldiers stationed at Camp Ranao in Marawi City.
The respondents were ordered to comment on the petition within five days from receipt of the resolution.
Dead inside a US camp
Gregan, 33, was supposed to be assigned as a security guard at Camp Siongco in Maguindanao province, but on February 1 was allegedly brought instead by a US helicopter to Camp Ranao in Marawi, which is also the headquarters of the 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army.
Barely three days after, however, Gregan’s family received a call from a local police official telling them that he committed suicide by hanging himself midnight of February 2.
The family, however, suspected there was foul play as Gregan was still able to call them before he allegedly killed himself, saying he was not doing an interpreter’s work and that what he was being asked to do was “very difficult."
He added that those with him are “all Americans."
A subsequent autopsy report by the National Bureau of Investigation indicated there were five deep and burnt puncture wounds on Gregan’s feet, on the left inner part of both legs and on the upper right arm.
A Mindanao-based human rights group from which Gregan’s family sought help, however, said the autopsy did not state other injuries that the family earlier noted when they saw Gregan’s cadaver at a Zamboanga City funeral home.
These other injuries, the human rights group claimed, included an enlarged scrotum, the enlarged opening of his anus, a deep wound on the upper right part of his neck and three injuries on his head.
Local police and military officials earlier maintained that Gregan indeed committed suicide based on evidence gathered, including a supposed suicide note he left behind.
Family friend killed
Meanwhile, Ignacio, a close friend of Gregan’s family and Wesmincom’s Military Police chief, reportedly started getting death threats for assisting the family in securing more information on Gregan’s death.
On March 26, just hours after attending the re-autopsy of Gregan’s body conducted by the Commission on Human Rights, Ignacio was gunned down by still unidentified suspects astride two motorcycles in Zamboanga City.
Ignacio sustained gunshot wounds in his back and head, and died on the spot.
To date, local police have yet to determine the motives or suspects behind Ignacio’s death, saying the area where he was shot was experiencing a blackout
Gregan’s family, however, maintained in their petition that Ignacio’s death was part of the attempt to “cover up" Gregan’s death.
Gregan, who was also a Christian pastor, left behind a wife and three children. (Jerrie m. Abella, JV, GMANews.TV)
Link: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/194572/writ-of-amparo-granted-to-kin-of-interpreter-found-dead-among-us-troops
Showing posts with label GMA News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GMA News. Show all posts
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Writ of amparo granted to kin of interpreter found dead among US troops: GMA News
Friday, November 28, 2008
Bishop unfazed by govt threat to file sedition raps - GMANews.TV
MANILA, Philippines - One of the Catholic bishops who earlier said that he is open to 'extra-legal' means to oust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo remains unfazed by government threats to file inciting to sedition charges.
“We are already used to the threat of the old secretary of injustice. We will just wait what he will do," Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias said.
The 67-year old prelate was one of two bishops who expressed openness to the use of extra-legal means to oust Mrs Arroyo.
The other was Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez.
In a press conference Thursday, the two urged the public to join protest rallies against the
His remark came the same day that Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez said that the statement of the two bishops was tantamount to “inciting to rebellion."
On Friday, Tobias said that any move to amend the constitution would likely result in a solid front of bishops who have expressed opposition to the move to extend the term of office of Mrs Arroyo.
"Masyado ng garapal, kaya papunta na diyan. Papunta na diyan na magkakasama-sama kami,"Tobias said.
His statement was in response to the question if they are one with the statement of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo issued last month.
“Yun bang masyadong pagpapakita ng power over the interest of the people, unti-unting nagkakaganoon na. There are more bishops now. I’m very sure yung lima na nauna at kami ay dumarami," Tobias said.
Recalling the martial law years, Tobias said religious leaders in the Philippines all expressed opposition to the continued stay of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
Last month Lagdameo, along with Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon, Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas and Legazpi Bishop emeritus Jose Sorra, called on the public to start preparing for a new government that is riddled with massive corruption.
Some bishops, who are known to be friendly with Malacañang, however, tried to downplay the statement of the five bishops saying this does not represent the CBCP as a body.
Lagdameo, in another statement released earlier this week, reiterated the previous pastoral statement of the CBCP expressing opposition to the renewed moves to amend the Constitution during the term of Arroyo.
On Thursday, Tobias, along with Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, urged the public to join in protest rallies versus the Arroyo government to protest against the possibility of extending her term via Charter Change.(GMANews.TV - http://www.gmanews.tv/story/136415/Bishop-unfazed-by-govt-threat-to-file-sedition-raps)
“We are already used to the threat of the old secretary of injustice. We will just wait what he will do," Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias said.
The 67-year old prelate was one of two bishops who expressed openness to the use of extra-legal means to oust Mrs Arroyo.
The other was Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez.
In a press conference Thursday, the two urged the public to join protest rallies against the
His remark came the same day that Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez said that the statement of the two bishops was tantamount to “inciting to rebellion."
On Friday, Tobias said that any move to amend the constitution would likely result in a solid front of bishops who have expressed opposition to the move to extend the term of office of Mrs Arroyo.
"Masyado ng garapal, kaya papunta na diyan. Papunta na diyan na magkakasama-sama kami,"Tobias said.
His statement was in response to the question if they are one with the statement of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo issued last month.
“Yun bang masyadong pagpapakita ng power over the interest of the people, unti-unting nagkakaganoon na. There are more bishops now. I’m very sure yung lima na nauna at kami ay dumarami," Tobias said.
Recalling the martial law years, Tobias said religious leaders in the Philippines all expressed opposition to the continued stay of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
Last month Lagdameo, along with Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon, Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas and Legazpi Bishop emeritus Jose Sorra, called on the public to start preparing for a new government that is riddled with massive corruption.
Some bishops, who are known to be friendly with Malacañang, however, tried to downplay the statement of the five bishops saying this does not represent the CBCP as a body.
Lagdameo, in another statement released earlier this week, reiterated the previous pastoral statement of the CBCP expressing opposition to the renewed moves to amend the Constitution during the term of Arroyo.
On Thursday, Tobias, along with Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, urged the public to join in protest rallies versus the Arroyo government to protest against the possibility of extending her term via Charter Change.(GMANews.TV - http://www.gmanews.tv/story/136415/Bishop-unfazed-by-govt-threat-to-file-sedition-raps)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Hackers Deface Philippine Rebel Website
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 14, 2008) – The website of the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has been hacked and defaced, a senior leader said Saturday.
Mohagher Iqbal said the MILF website whose URL http://www.luwaran.com was hacked by a still unidentified group. “Our website was hacked by the enemy,” he said without further elaborating.
The website was off line since Friday and its mirror site http://www.luwaran.net has been redirected Saturday to a forum on this URL http://forums.luwaran.net.
Television giant GMA 7 reported that the MILF website had several photos of pigs, animals considered unclean by Muslims.
Links to news articles in the MILF website also led to defaced pages featuring pigs. “I love pigs,” “i love pigs :D,” “Prite bac Prite” and “digdigdig,” the headlines read.
Mohagher Iqbal said the MILF website whose URL http://www.luwaran.com was hacked by a still unidentified group. “Our website was hacked by the enemy,” he said without further elaborating.
The website was off line since Friday and its mirror site http://www.luwaran.net has been redirected Saturday to a forum on this URL http://forums.luwaran.net.
Television giant GMA 7 reported that the MILF website had several photos of pigs, animals considered unclean by Muslims.
Links to news articles in the MILF website also led to defaced pages featuring pigs. “I love pigs,” “i love pigs :D,” “Prite bac Prite” and “digdigdig,” the headlines read.
Those behind the defacing did not leave signs of their identity, GMANews.TV reported.
It also quoted reports by radio network dzBB as saying that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) denied involvement in the hacking of the MILF website. (Mindanao Examiner)
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Broadcast Journalist Gunned Down In Quezon: GMA News
MANILA, Philippines - Amid a continued clamor for an increased protection for journalists against violence, another broadcaster was killed by motorcycle riding gunmen in Sariaya town, Quezon Monday.
In a report, Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas, Quezon police director, said Robert "Bert" Sison was gunned down by two assailants riding in tandem past 5 p.m. Monday while he was on his way home.
Sison, 60, hosted a program that airs over radio DZAT and a correspondent of the weekly newspaper "Regional Bulletin" based in Lucena City.
Posadas said the victim who was on board their family car along with his two daughters - Almira, 24, and Liwayway, 30 - and was on on his way home when the assailants opened fire at the vehicle while in the vicinity of Brgy. Lutukan which was several kilometers away from their house.
"This is a hate-crime. After overtaking the car, the suspects opened fire and when it stopped, one of them approached the car and peppered it with bullets. Clearly, the suspects were very angry at Sison," Posadas said.
Police said Sison sustained nnine gunshot wounds to his body while his daughter Liwayway, was hit in the right arm after she ran away from the car to save herself.Posadas said the Sison instinctively covered Almira who was seated beside him and took most of the shots fired by the gunmen. Almira emerged unscathed from the incident.
Posadas said he had already formed a task force under Quezon deputy for operation, Superintendent Eduardo Somera, to handle the investigation.
For his part, Somera said investigators have started meeting with Sison's colleagues to determine possible motives in the killing.
"I am also meeting with Quezon journalists to gather additional facts that can help us solve this crime," Somera said.The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) immediately condemned the attack saying the incident came shortly after a court decision dismissing the case filed against policemen who hauled journalists covering the Manila Peninsula siege in Makati City.
“Coming as it did in the wake of the dismissal of the Makati Regional Trial Court of the complaint we filed against the policemen who hauled to jail the mediamen who covered the Manila Peninsula siege last November, the killing of Sison is another brutal reminder that Filipino journalists have much to be worried about as they carried on the risky job of bringing the truth to our people," said NPC president Benny Antiporda.
Antiporda said while the formation of the task force to investigate the latest media killing is “laudable," it hardly brings comfort to Sison’s family or in the ranks of the country’s journalists.
“Only the quick apprehension of the suspects and the uncovering of the mastermind behind this attack can assure us that the government is committed to protecting journalists and that it is serious in removing the ‘culture of impunity’ that has emboldened those with gripes against the media to settle their differences in a violent manner," Antiporda added.
He further noted that the attack was the second in Quezon province since last year when Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Delfin Mallari and DZMM correspondent Johnny Glorioso, escaped assassination during an attack last April 19, 2007, in Lucena City. (GMANews.TV)
In a report, Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas, Quezon police director, said Robert "Bert" Sison was gunned down by two assailants riding in tandem past 5 p.m. Monday while he was on his way home.
Sison, 60, hosted a program that airs over radio DZAT and a correspondent of the weekly newspaper "Regional Bulletin" based in Lucena City.
Posadas said the victim who was on board their family car along with his two daughters - Almira, 24, and Liwayway, 30 - and was on on his way home when the assailants opened fire at the vehicle while in the vicinity of Brgy. Lutukan which was several kilometers away from their house.
"This is a hate-crime. After overtaking the car, the suspects opened fire and when it stopped, one of them approached the car and peppered it with bullets. Clearly, the suspects were very angry at Sison," Posadas said.
Police said Sison sustained nnine gunshot wounds to his body while his daughter Liwayway, was hit in the right arm after she ran away from the car to save herself.Posadas said the Sison instinctively covered Almira who was seated beside him and took most of the shots fired by the gunmen. Almira emerged unscathed from the incident.
Posadas said he had already formed a task force under Quezon deputy for operation, Superintendent Eduardo Somera, to handle the investigation.
For his part, Somera said investigators have started meeting with Sison's colleagues to determine possible motives in the killing.
"I am also meeting with Quezon journalists to gather additional facts that can help us solve this crime," Somera said.The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) immediately condemned the attack saying the incident came shortly after a court decision dismissing the case filed against policemen who hauled journalists covering the Manila Peninsula siege in Makati City.
“Coming as it did in the wake of the dismissal of the Makati Regional Trial Court of the complaint we filed against the policemen who hauled to jail the mediamen who covered the Manila Peninsula siege last November, the killing of Sison is another brutal reminder that Filipino journalists have much to be worried about as they carried on the risky job of bringing the truth to our people," said NPC president Benny Antiporda.
Antiporda said while the formation of the task force to investigate the latest media killing is “laudable," it hardly brings comfort to Sison’s family or in the ranks of the country’s journalists.
“Only the quick apprehension of the suspects and the uncovering of the mastermind behind this attack can assure us that the government is committed to protecting journalists and that it is serious in removing the ‘culture of impunity’ that has emboldened those with gripes against the media to settle their differences in a violent manner," Antiporda added.
He further noted that the attack was the second in Quezon province since last year when Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Delfin Mallari and DZMM correspondent Johnny Glorioso, escaped assassination during an attack last April 19, 2007, in Lucena City. (GMANews.TV)
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