Push Admin

Sandiganbayan clears cops, military officials in Morong 43 illegal detention case

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Sandiganbayan 7th Division has dismissed the illegal detention cases filed by health workers known as the Morong 43 who were supposedly illegally arrested, detained and tortured by military and police officials in Camp Capinpin in Morong, Rizal in 2010.In a resolution promulgated on July 1, 2019, the anti-graft court granted the demurrer to evidence filed by retired Lt. Gen. Jorge Segovia, retired Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Brig. Gen. Joselito Reyes, Col. Cristobal Zaragoza, Maj. Jovily Cabading, police Supt. Marion Balonglong and Supt. Allan Nobleza.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/12/19/sandigan-allows-cops-soldiers-to-file-demurrer-to-evidence-in-morong-43-raps">Sandigan allows cops, soldiers to file demurrer to evidence in Morong 43 raps</a></li></ul>The court said the prosecution failed to prove their allegation that the officials violated Republic Act No. 7438 or An Act Defining Certain Rights of Person Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation as well as the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers as it was not proven that the complainants had lawyers of their own choice at the time of arrest and during detention.“Hence, the court finds the evidence adduced by the prosecution insufficient to sustain indictment or to support a verdict of guilt thus, warranting the dismissal of the herein cases,” the court said in the resolution penned by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, with the concurrence of Division Chairperson Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta and Associate Justice Georgina Hidalgo.The court dismissed the cases despite testimonies from the complainant health workers as well as human rights workers from the group Karapatan.The 8 complainants in the cases were: Jane Balleta, Samson Castillo, Mercy Castro, Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Gary Liberal, Reynaldo Macabenta, Dr. Alexis Montes, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan.“None of the private complainants testified that they have a counsel of choice when they were arrested and detained and that they requested from accused to allow them to confer with their counsel and that they were thereafter prevented from conferring with him,” the court said.The cases of the other accused individuals namely Manuel Tabion, Vicente Lopez, aliases “Calaoagan,” “Bulaklak” and “Idloy” were ordered archived by the court as they remain at large.

The Sandiganbayan 7th Division has dismissed the illegal detention cases filed by health workers known as the Morong 43 who were supposedly illegally arrested, detained and tortured by military and police officials in Camp Capinpin in Morong, Rizal in 2010.

The Sandiganbayan 7th Division has dismissed the illegal detention cases filed by health workers known as the Morong 43 who were supposedly illegally arrested, detained and tortured by military and police officials in Camp Capinpin in Morong, Rizal in 2010.

Sandiganbayan clears cops, military officials in Morong 43 illegal detention case

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Sandiganbayan clears cops, military officials in Morong 43 illegal detention case

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 19, 2019 01:20 PM PHT

Read More:

Morong 43

Sandiganbayan

illegal arrest

torture

Morong 43

health workers

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.