A Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court has acquitted 10 human rights staff, together with a nun, of perjury fees.
In a 45-page choice, the QC Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 139 acquitted Sister Elenita Belardo, Elisa Lubi, Cristina Palabay, Roneo Clamor, Gabriela Krista Dalena, Edita Burgos, Jose Maria Callueng, Wilfredo Ruazol, Joan May Salvador, and Gertrudes Libang on the grounds of cheap doubt.
The ten are members of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), human rights group Karapatan, and and the ladies’s rights advocacy group Gabriela.
The case stemmed from the criticism filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. over the teams testifying that the RMP was a duly registered company within the nation.
Karapatan welcomed the choice in a press release, saying it’s a victory of fact and justice.
“We reiterate that this case against the national officers of Karapatan, RMP, and Gabriela is malicious, and is aimed at disrupting our work — in helping victims seek justice, in defending the rights of people from violations committed by the State, and in exposing the crimes of the State and its security forces,” it stated. —NB, GMA Integrated News
