Davao judge throws out amparo plea

DAVAO CITY – A regional trial court judge here has dismissed a petition for a writ of amparo filed against President Arroyo and police and Armed Forces officials by a 47-year-old woman who suspected that military agents abducted her son last Oct. 7.

In a decision last Nov. 14, Judge Isaac Robillo, of the 11th Judicial Region, threw out the petition of Bebelita Bustamante, a resident of Paquibato district here, for the issuance of a writ of amparo for her son, Luisito, 22, and the inspection of the military units concerned. 

“The petition is deemed terminated and dismissed since (the court) is satisfied there is no need for further proceedings for the protection of the person of Luisito Bustamante,” Robillo said in his ruling. 

Robillo noted that during the preliminary hearing on the petition last Nov. 14, Luisito manifested under oath that he freely and voluntarily went with Lt. Col. Noli Obat. 

Luisito, a former New People’s Army member, was said to have sought the help of Obat, a member of Task Force Davao, so he could rejoin mainstream society.

Robillo said Luisito even “manifested under oath that he would like to stay with Noli Obat.”

Aside from Mrs. Arroyo, the respondents in the petition were Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon; Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon; Maj. Gen. Ernesto Boac, chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division; Col. Alan Luga, Task Force Davao commander; Lt. Col. Alexander Ambal, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion; Obat, and seven others. 

Seeing dangers to Luisito’s life, Robillo ordered the military to protect the former NPA rebel, who had taken his oath of allegiance to the Philippine government. – With Jaime Laude