Morong 43 vow to continue fighting for justice
“What do we have to prove? We were illegally arrested, tortured, incarcerated for more than 10 months but the burden of proof is still on us.”
MORONG 43
Morong 43 refers to the 43 health workers arrested during a raid by 300 elements of policemen and soldiers in Morong, Rizal on Feb. 6, 2010. The military claimed they are members of the New People’s Army and charged them with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Bulatlat was able to document the campaign for the release of Morong 43, which reached the international community. The clamor compelled then President Benigno Aquino III to drop the charges against the health workers.
Upon release, the Morong 43 filed criminal and civil charges against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under the principle of command responsibility and against their military captors. To date, no one has been held accountable for the unjust detention and torture they were subjected to.
No settlement on Morong 43 civil suit vs Arroyo, military
No settlement on Morong 43 civil suit vs Arroyo, military
“It has been five years since we were wrongfully arrested, jailed and tortured by state agents. Such heinous crimes involve command responsibility and we seek justice.”
‘Morong 43’ assails Ombudsman decision exonerating Arroyo, military
‘Morong 43’ assails Ombudsman decision exonerating Arroyo, military
“How can they turn a blind eye to what we went through? It has been six long years. The whole world knows what happened to us. But not the Ombudsman apparently.”
Morong 43 asks Ombudsman to reconsider torture, robbery cases vs Arroyo, Army officials
Morong 43 asks Ombudsman to reconsider torture, robbery cases vs Arroyo, Army officials
“These psychological forms of torture may have no external physical signs but the damage these have inflicted on the complainants will haunt them for the rest of their lives."
‘Impunity rules the land’ — kin of Morong 43 on junking of charges vs military, police
‘Impunity rules the land’ — kin of Morong 43 on junking of charges vs military, police
“When torturers and human rights violators are rewarded with promotions and acquittals for the crimes they have perpetuated against individuals and communities, this means that the infrastructure of impunity has been so ingrained in the justice system in the country."
#15YearsofBulatlat | Exemplary reports on the ‘Morong 43’
#15YearsofBulatlat | Exemplary reports on the ‘Morong 43’
Taos-pusong binabati ng Council for Health and Development at ng buong sektor pangkalusugan ang Bulatlat.com sa inyong ika-15 anibersaryo. Napakalaki ng tulong na nagawa ng Bulatlat para sa pagsusulong ng mga adhikain ng mamamayan gaya ng pagtatanggol sa mga...
‘Morong 43’ doc belies military claims they were not tortured
‘Morong 43’ doc belies military claims they were not tortured
For the military, torture and other heinous human rights violations are acceptable when committed against those who refuse to bow to them.
‘Morong 43’ arrest, detention illegal — CHR
‘Morong 43’ arrest, detention illegal — CHR
“This is a welcome development though it is five years late.”
QC prosecutor nabbed for extortion case on ‘Morong 43’ doc
QC prosecutor nabbed for extortion case on ‘Morong 43’ doc
"This goes to show that we do not buy our way and neither can we be bought."
Military officer implicated in illegal arrest of 43 health workers promoted
Military officer implicated in illegal arrest of 43 health workers promoted
“If President Aquino has forgotten what he himself has previously acknowledged – that our human rights were violated- we have not.” – Dr. Alexis Montes
‘Nothing justifies torture, illegal arrest,’ military told on Morong 43
‘Nothing justifies torture, illegal arrest,’ military told on Morong 43
“Whether De la Cruz joined the NPA after his release or not is his personal choice. That does not in any way change the facts of the case. The military illegally arrested, detained and tortured the 43 health workers, period.” -- Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general
Promotion of general linked to Morong 43 arrest, torture enrages victims, rights activists
Promotion of general linked to Morong 43 arrest, torture enrages victims, rights activists
“..the Aquino administration obviously rewards, instead of punishes, human rights violators such as Gen. [Aurelio] Baladad.” – Justice for the Morong 43 alliance
Testing the Anti-Torture law
Testing the Anti-Torture law
“What is more revolting is the fact that some of the perpetrators, who have been identified and charged, have been promoted. And Gloria Arroyo was re-elected as congresswoman.” – Justice for the Morong 43
Arroyo’s plea vs Morong 43 civil case junked
Arroyo’s plea vs Morong 43 civil case junked
MANILA – After years of gloom, health workers saw a ray of hope as a local court denied President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s motion for reconsideration. In today’s hearing, Judge Afable E. Cajigal of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 96 dismissed Arroyo’s...
Torture charges filed vs Arroyo, military, police officials
Torture charges filed vs Arroyo, military, police officials
“We know that our enemies are human rights violators who respect no one but it is important to file the case if only to show that the government is violating its own laws.” – Morong 43
Promotion of Morong 43 jailer enrages victims, rights groups
Promotion of Morong 43 jailer enrages victims, rights groups
“This [Segovia's promotion] only proves that the Aquino administration is not at all serious in going after human rights violators.” -- Gary Liberal, one of the Morong 43
Court hears P15M damage suit filed by Morong 43 vs Arroyo, former top military, police officials
Court hears P15M damage suit filed by Morong 43 vs Arroyo, former top military, police officials
At least five causes of action are being sought by the health workers against the former president and her officials involved in the case.
Arroyo, Former Top Defense, Military Officials Sued For Damages By Morong 43
Arroyo, Former Top Defense, Military Officials Sued For Damages By Morong 43
“We have decided to file for moral and exemplary damages against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her security officials for violation of our rights. This is but a small step to end impunity in our country. Yet, this a step forward in our long march for justice,” Gary Liberal, spokesman of the Morong 43, said.
Dr. Alexis Montes: ‘The Journey Is Not Yet Ended’
Dr. Alexis Montes: ‘The Journey Is Not Yet Ended’
Dr. Alexis Montes was wiping away his tears throughout the program on Feb. 3 organized by church workers who were involved in the campaign for the release of the Morong 43. It was evidently an emotional moment for him, less than two months after he and 32 others were released after 10 months in detention.
‘Morong 43′ Recall the Nightmare and the Struggle
‘Morong 43′ Recall the Nightmare and the Struggle
From the time of the raid and their subsequent arrest to the nightly interrogations, they were told that they did not have rights. But the "Morong 43" struggled on internally and against their captors, interrogators, and eventually their prison custodians.
A Year After Ordeal, Life Goes on for Freed ‘Morong 43’ But Scars Remain
A Year After Ordeal, Life Goes on for Freed ‘Morong 43’ But Scars Remain
A year ago today, the military and police illegally arrested and detained the "Morong 43" health workers. While most of them have been freed and are now trying to pick up the pieces of their lives, many still have nightmares and still feel vulnerable and exposed to danger.
Sidebar: 'Morong 43' Recall the Nightmare and the Struggle | Dr. Alexis Montes: ‘The Journey Is Not Yet Ended’ | Related Stories: Lawyers Push for Immediate Release of One of Three Remaining 'Morong 43' Detainees | What Newsbreak Failed to Report About the ‘Morong 5' | More 'Morong 43' stories, photos and video