Judge Econg to stop hearing amparo cases

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Judge Geraldine Faith Econg yesterday said she has decided to no longer hear a petition for a writ of amparo, following her experience in the case of suspected NPA official Ramon Patriarca.

During the hearing of Patriarca’s petition last Monday, Econg had burst to tears while relaying an incident Sunday wherein she was temporarily denied entry to serve a notice for the hearing at the Cebu Provincial Police Office where Patriarca was detained.

Econg said her experience at CPPO made her decide to refrain from accepting a case for a writ of amparo.

A writ of amparo is a legal remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.

Patriarca had alleged the police and military used force on him during interrogation in Consolacion town following his arrest on February 5.

Econg also explained the absence of a docket number on Patriarca’s petition, saying the case was given a provisional number at RTC Branch 9. She said it was given only a provisional number because based on the law, a case for a writ of amparo does not require a docketing fee.

“The court, justice, or judge shall docket the petition and act on it immediately. A judge may be called in the evenings to deliver the writ of amparo. Who am I to go against it?” Econg said.

Meanwhile, CPPO Director Carmelo Valmoria said he welcomes any investigation that may be opened by the Commission on Human Rights on Patriarca’s allegations of abuse.

“We have been used to countercharges as police officers, especially after a legitimate operation against an organized crime group. We really expect that they (CHR) will file against us. It has always been their course of action,” Valmoria said.

Patriarca is now in the custody of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology in Danao City.

Valmoria disclosed that Patriarca is the signatory of extortion letters sent by Patriarca’s group to different establishments in the province. With Patriarca’s arrest, his group is reportedly “suffering” from lack of leadership.

 “I do believe right now they are already questioning themselves what went wrong ug kinsa’y nag-tug-an,” Valmoria said.

Valmoria also called on the establishments “victimized” by Patriarca’s group to come out in the open.

“I challenge them to condemn the atrocities perpetrated by the communists/terrorists, the killings that they have committed especially in sitio Sutis, barangay Kawrasan, Carmen last 2002 by the Komiteng Rehiyong Bisaya,” Valmoria said. — Jasmin Uy and Niña Chrismae Sumacot/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)