The Court of Appeals has issued the privilege of the writ of amparo in favor of missing activists Elizabeth Magbanua and Alipio Juat.
In a 39-page decision, the appellate court also issued a permanent protection order for activists and their immediate families.
Named respondents in the petition were Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro; retired generals Jose Faustino and Ricardo de Leon; Philippine Army head Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.; Army 6th Infantry Division head Maj. Gen. Roy Galido; AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Romulo Manuel; and Army 10th Infrantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin.
The CA “without any specific pronouncement on exact authorship and responsibility,” declared the respondents “accountable for the enforced disappearance and continued disappearance” of Magbanua and Juat.
“In the event that herein respondents no longer occupy their respective posts, the directives mandated in this Decision are enforceable against the incumbent officials holding the relevant positions. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall constitute contempt of court,” it said.
“I’m grateful for the CA’s favorable decision, that the court decided to side with what is just. It’s another step forward towards the fight to finding Loi,” said Ruth Manglalan, who filed the petition for the writ.
The Gabriela party-list also welcomed the decision.
“Gabriela Philippines hail the court’s favorable decision and considers this a significant step towards protecting constitutionally protected rights and liberties of not only Loi, Ador, and their families, but of all Filipinos,” it said.
“The group continues to demand that state forces immediately and safely surface Loi and Ador, and all other victims of extrajudicial arrest and detention,” Gabriela added.