Morong 43 appeals GMA acquittal

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the so-called “Morong 43” are appealing an order of the Office of the Ombudsman that dismissed the torture and robbery charges filed against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The group, accompanied by their lawyers, yesterday filed a partial motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman order dismissing the cases they filed against Arroyo, former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Victor Ibrado and former Philippine Army chief Delfin Bangit.

The case is in connection with the alleged torture of the 43 health workers arrested by the military in Morong, Rizal on Feb. 6, 2010.

Alex Montes, a member of the group, said they will pursue the cases they filed against the former president, her generals and other accomplices to the human rights violations that they suffered.