Palace exec: Morong 43 case under ‘continuing’ review

Malacañang on Thursday assured supporters of the 43 health workers arrested in Rizal province last February on suspicion of being communist rebels that it is reviewing the cases against them to see if they can qualify for amnesty. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. gave the assurance amid calls by militants to grant amnesty to the 43 and to other political detainees. "Lahat naman na yan subject to continuing study and review.... Hintayin natin dahil merong umaandar na proseso 'yan," Coloma said in an interview on dzXL radio. (All cases involving political prisoners are subject to continuing study and review. Let us wait because the process is still ongoing.) The health workers, collectively known as the Morong 43, face charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives following their arrest last February. Five of them have been placed under military custody at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, after allegedly admitting they were supporters of the New People's Army. The 38 were transferred last May to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Several human rights groups have joined calls for the release of the health workers. Renato Reyes of militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan clarified that his group never requested for amnesty for the 43, and that they have maintained the arrest was illegal so charges should be dropped and that they should be released. We called for “positive steps" to be done for the political prisoners after President Benigno Aquino III signed Proclamation 50. The proclamation grants amnesty to over 300 soldiers who took part in three attempted uprisings against the Arroyo administration in 2003, 2006, and 2007. But before the amnesty takes effect, a congressional approval is needed. A Canadian lawyers' group – Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) – earlier wrote a letter to the president and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima appealing to free the 43 detainees. [See story: Canadian lawyers join calls to free Morong 43] Meanwhile, Coloma said the Palace will not directly take action against prosecutors voicing opposition to the amnesty given to mutineers. "Walang aksyon diyan, malaya silang magpahayag ng kanilang pananaw (We will not take direct action against them. They are free to air their views)," he said. Still, he defended the amnesty proclamation, saying it was part of Aquino’s judicial reforms. Also, he said critics might consider reflecting on the president’s view. "Ihinain na lang sa pangulo ang issue bakit di hintayin ang decision, pitong taon naghintay ang kaso. Maaring isipin ang pananaw na yan (The soldiers had been languishing for seven years. Why make them wait longer? Our critics can also reflect on this view)," he said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV