AFP ready to face kalikasan, data writs

MANILA, Philippines — Following the Supreme Court (SC) decision granting the issuance of the Writ of Kalikasan and Writ of Habeas Data on Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared it is ready and willing to refute all the charges.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the ruling is the prerogative of the High Court and the military, as an institution, fully submits to the rule of law.

“This is a prerogative of the Supreme Court. This is not yet the decision on the merits of the case but the procedure of the writs,” Arevalo said.

The SC on Friday directed the government to actively protect the West Philippine Sea and stop the degradation of its marine sources by the Chinese.

The high court has designated the Court of Appeals (CA) to hear the merits of the case.

The SC also granted the petition of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) seeking the issuance of Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data for their protection, claiming that their rights to life, liberty and security have been violated through the persistent threats, harassment and red tagging by the military.

The SC granted the petition of the fishermen’s group and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for a Writ of Kalikasan to force the government to do more to prevent violations of environmental laws in Philippine waters, specially within the country’s 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“We maintain that the AFP is the protector of the people and the state and that national security is of paramount interest,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo said the AFP will coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to present its side before the CA.

Arevalo said the AFP, despite its limited resources, will sustain its regular maritime patrols.

Former foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario believes the recent Writ of Kalikasan issued by the SC practically imposes an obligation on our government to enforce the July 12, 2016 ruling of the arbitral court based in The Hague.

“To date, nearly 9 of 10 Filipinos would like our government to claim what is ours in the South China Sea,” Del Rosario said in a statement yesterday, adding that with the SC order, “our people are now supported by the highest court of the land.”

He also said that “with the Supreme Court standing with our people, our partners, allies and friends would no doubt like to know if our country finally stands as one.”

Del Rosario said the legislative and executive branches of government should support the SC ruling.

“If they represent us, they must stand with us,” Del Rosario added.

Lawmakers hailed the SC ruling on the Writ of Kalikasan.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said the SC ruling will solidify the country’s claim against China and compel government officials to do what they have to do to protect the environment.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, however, said the Duterte administration is working to protect the marine environment.

“I believe that is the intention of our government,” he said.

Sotto said President Duterte made it plain precisely when he traveled to China and there was a positive consensus on that issue.

On the Writ of Amparo and Writ of Habeas Data, Arevalo said the military will be presenting pieces of evidence to refute the claims of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) alleging threats and intimidation by state security forces.

“We are committed to tell the Honorable Supreme Court nothing but the truth when we present our side that acts attributed to the AFP are mere imputations and allegations,” Arevalo said.

“We have communicated with the OSG and prepared the refutations of all the baseless claims of NUPL,” he added. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe