DOJ targets release of Morong 43 before Christmas

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the so-called "Morong 43" health workers arrested in February on suspicion of being communist rebels, could be released before Christmas Day. After receiving President Benigno Aquino III's directive on Friday, De Lima said her department is already preparing the appropriate pleadings to withdraw the charges lodged against the 43 health workers. She said she wants the documents readied so that Rizal courts can resolve the matter by Christmas. De Lima said Prosecutor General Claro Arellano and Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III have started readying the motions withdrawing the information against the workers. "I gave instructions to file the appropriate motions on Monday. They are now finalizing the motions. There will be several motions for withdrawal," De Lima said. "We're ready to file by Monday so we can have the ruling of the court in time for Christmas break," De Lima added. The health workers are facing cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. These cases are pending before four Morong regional trial courts and two Morong metropolitan trial courts. Some are also facing cases for violation of the Commission on Election's gun ban for carrying firearms while the election gun ban was in effect. Earlier on Friday, Aquino announced that he has ordered the DOJ to withdraw the informations filed with the courts. "We recognize that their right to due process was denied them. As a government that is committed to the rule of law and the rights of man, this cannot stand," he said. "Therefore, I have ordered the DOJ to withdraw the informations filed before the court," Aquino said at an event marking Human Rights Day," he added. De Lima said Aquino issued the order because he recognized that the workers were nabbed by virtue of a defective arrest warrant. "It's because of the realization that the military used a questionable procedure. The search warrant was patently defective. Therefore, under the 'fruit of the poisonous tree' doctrine, the evidence is supposed to be inadmissible in court," De Lima said. – VVP, GMANews.TV