(Eagle News)–The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday, July 20, welcomed the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the case filed against seven police and military officers behind the arrest of the “Morong 43” in 2010.
AFP spokesperson Marine Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said the military was “elated that justice is served for the respondent military (and police) officers” who were charged for allegedly denying the 43 health workers of their right to a counsel of their choice.
The military and police in question refer to Jorge Segovia, Aurelio Baladad, and Joselito Reyes, Brigadier General Cristobal Zaragoza, Marion Balonglong, Allan Nobleza and Jovily Carmel Cabading, among others.
In granting their demurrer to evidence, the AFP said the Sandiganbayan “implies the allegations are unfounded even as we maintain that the charges are meant to legally harass security forces who were in a legitimate combat and law enforcement operation.”
The AFP added the ruling “further goes to show that the AFP abides by the mandates of the Bill of Rights.”