Militant groups have failed to present witnesses on military threats as CA wraps up hearing on amparo, habeas data petition
The Court of Appeals on Thursday has concluded its hearing on the writ of amparo petition of the militant groups seeking to protection from the alleged harassment and threats by government security forces.
However, petitioners from Karapatan, Gabriela and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines failed to present their witnesses before the CA’s 14th Division for coming unprepared.
Their counsels from National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers were supposed to present testimonial evidence witnesses and supporting documents during the hearing, but the court did not allow it because they did not have judicial affidavits.
Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who chairs the 14th Division, explained that the rules on petition for writ of amparo requires that hearings be summary.
The appellate court then heard the arguments of both parties on procedural and substantive issues related to the petition.
NUPL secretary-general Ephraim Cortez questioned the decision of the court, calling it a deviation from previous cases of amparo petitions they handled.
Cortez lamented how the CA concluded the hearing when their camp has not even received a copy of the respondents’ verified return, which was sent via snail mail.