Group files P6-M civil suit vs GMA over HR violations

MANILA, Philippines - The Protestant group United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) has filed a damage suit worth at least P6 million against Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for alleged human rights violations committed against its members during her term as president.

In the 18-page complaint filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, UCCP demanded that P1 million be paid to the organization by Arroyo for moral damages; P500,000 each for the relatives of the six supposed victims; P500,000 for exemplary damages and P300,000 each for litigation and attorney’s fees.

One of the alleged victims, pastor Berlin Guerrero, asked for P300,000 in moral damages for his alleged illegal arrest and detention by the military and the torture he supposedly suffered during captivity.

The church filed the complaint through its general secretary and executive officer Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza.       

UCCP was earlier tagged by the military as the sectoral front of the Communist Party of the Philippines.                               

The church said they filed the suit against Arroyo on the ground of command responsibility, being the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines when she was president.

During her administration, the military implemented the counter-insurgency campaign “Oplan Bantay Laya” which the group alleged cracked down on civil society groups, people’s organizations and church organizations that were critical of the government’s policies.

Cited as the victims of the alleged killings by the military were UCCP disaster relief program coordinator Joel Baclao Sr., of Albay, killed on Nov. 10, 2004; UCCP pastor Edison Lapuz of Tacloban City killed on May 12, 2003; Noel Capulong, chairman of UCCP’s Christian Witness Program in Calamba killed on May 27, 2006; UCCP pastors Raul Domingo and Andy Pawican killed on Aug. 20, 2005 and May 21, 2006, respectively.             

Guerrero, on the other hand, was allegedly abducted on May 27, 2007 on his way from servicing the local church in Malabanan, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

He claimed the military detained him for 16 months and tortured him while in detention.

Apart from the six alleged victims, the church claimed that there were 22 other members who suffered human rights violation by military.

Arroyo was confined yesterday at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City after complaining of body pain discovered to have been caused by a pinched nerve in her spine.

Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo’s spokesperson, said the former leader sought treatment for cervical radiculopathy. 

She said Arroyo would have to undergo regular therapy, which could include the use of braces, stretching, and warm compresses.

“She just needs therapy and rest,” Bautista-Horn said.

Arroyo cancelled her appointments for yesterday and today, including an informal gathering with reporters covering the House of Representatives.

She, however, wants to attend the wedding anniversary of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on June 19.

Arroyo is scheduled to leave for Madrid, Spain before the end of the month to attend the meeting of the International Commission against Death Penalty.