AFP: Morong 43 case a 'learning experience'

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said they would be considering the "Morong 43" issue as a learning experience for the military. "Lalo pa naming paiigtingin at palalakasin ang aming proseso para next time mas maganda ang filing ng charges," Mabanta said in an interview aired over radio dzBB on Friday. Mabanta made the statement after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III ordered the withdrawal of the charges against the so-called "Morong 43" health workers arrested in February on suspicion of being Communist rebels. Mabanta lamented how "some technicalities" weakened the government's case against the health workers, prompting the President to order the withdrawal of the charges against the Morong 43. "We felt that we did our best. We were able to apprehend the 43. Now because of some technicalities, it is up to the authorities," Mabanta said. "We will look at it as lessons learned and we will do it better the next time," he added, saying the AFP would be heeding Aquino's order. In a separate interview with GMANews.TV, Mabanta said the AFP would be holding a press conference on the matter at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday afternoon. Mabanta clarified that the police filed the criminal charges against the health workers, and that the military only carried out the raiding the residence of the 43 workers in Morong in February. The military spokesman said in case the detained health workers would file a counter-suit against them, the military would be prepared to defend itself. Like the AFP, the Philippine National Police said they would also respect the President's decision. "Kung ano ang utos ng nakatataas kami naman sa PNP ay tatalima lamang (We abide by any order from our superiors)," PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz told GMANews.TV in a separate phone interview. Bomb-making training? The health workers were arrested in February after being caught participating in a supposed bomb-making training. They were nabbed during a raid, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by an Imus, Cavite court. The health workers, who eventually became known as the "Morong 43," criticized the arrest as illegal because none of the 43 arrested individuals were listed in the arrest warrant. Authorities subsequently filed charges of illegal possession of explosive devices against the health workers. Separate charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban were likewise filed against three of the 43 workers. Thirty-eight of them are currently detained at National Capital Region Police Office headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Five of their colleagues remain with the military in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal and had admitted to being rebels. – VVP, GMANews.TV