Another tokhang victim’s kin granted writ of amparo

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) issued yesterday a second writ of amparo against Oplan Tokhang to protect the family of another victim killed by police officers in a drug operation.

A writ of amparo is a legal remedy to protect a person’s constitutional rights that are perceived to be in danger.

In yesterday’s session, the SC also issued a temporary protection order (TPO) in favor of the family of Joselito Gonzales, an alleged drug trafficker killed by policemen in Antipolo City, Rizal in July 2016.

The order bars Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and operatives from approaching within a one-kilometer radius the residence and workplace of the petitioner, Gonzales’ widow Christina.

The TPO covers Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Chief Superintendent Valfrie Tabian, Senior Superintendent Adriano Enong, Superintendent Simnar Semacio Gran, Inspector Dogwe, Allen Cadag, Mark Riel Canilon, and several John Does from the Antipolo police’s anti-narcotics and special operating units.

The SC also remanded the case to the Court of Appeals (CA) for a hearing and the respondents were given five working days to answer the charges.

The CA has been given 10 days after the hearing to issue a ruling.

Induced

In her petition, Christina claimed she and her husband were “induced by respondent police officers to deal in drugs.”

She said they decided to surrender last year and reform, but before they could do so, Cadag and Canilon reportedly threatened to kill them.

Her husband was later killed during an alleged encounter with Dogwe’s team.

Christina said she was forced to go into hiding since then, leaving her child behind for fear she would be killed next.

Last month, the SC issued the first writ of amparo and protection order in favor of a survivor and the relatives of four men killed in a Tokhang operation in Payatas, Quezon City in July last year.

The SC also referred the case to the CA, which ordered the transfer of the police officers named as respondents in the petition to an area outside Quezon City and Rizal.

The CA has also made permanent the protection order issued in favor of the petitioners.

The permanent protection order covers Senior Inspector Emil Garcia, Police Officer 3 Allan Formilleza, PO1s James Aggarao and Melchor Navisaga and any of their agents.