23.1.09

Court Orders GMA, AFP and PNP to Surface James Balao

by the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance

The Petition for the Writ of Amparo for James Balao was granted last January 19, 2009. The decision penned by Judge Benigno Galacgac of the Regional Trial Court-Branch 63 in La Trinidad, Benguet found President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the State institutions responsible for the enforced disappearance of James Balao and compelled them to surface James. It also cites that President Arroyo is rightfully named as a respondent in the petition as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philipines (AFP) and can be held accountable for cases of human rights violations.

The state policy (Operation Plan Bantay Laya) tagging members and leaders of progressive people’s organizations as enemies of the state was noted and thus, validates our claims that James was taken by the agents of the State and is not a victim of “purge” as the AFP and Philippine National Police officials claim.

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) welcomes the strong premises acknowledged by the court on the circumstances of James’ enforced disappearance.

Read more see: Cordillera Human Rights Alliance - Court Orders GMA, AFP and PNP to Surface James Balao

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