Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s request to be dismissed of P15M civil lawsuit filed by health workers group Morong 43 was denied by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court presided by Judge Afable Cajigal.
Judge Cajigal, in his order, stated that the reason for this denial of the motion for reconsideration is that the bases were merely a repetition of the grounds provided in the previous Motion to Dismiss.
Dr. Alex Montes, a plaintiff in the civil suit, considers this development as a “small victory” and said that the group intends to keep pressing on the case until they are able to obtain justice.
These charges were filed in April 2011 after a 2010 raid of a house in Morong, Rizal where the health workers were reportedly caught in possession of firearms and bomb-making components. The groups were then allegedly detained illegally and tortured.
Other defendants in the case include Norberto Gonzales (former National Security Adviser), Gen. Victor Ibrado (former Armed Forces Chief of Staff), Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit (former Army chief) and Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia (former 2nd Infantry Division chief). Six other officers based in Camp Capinpin also face the same charges, The Philippine Star reported.
