The Supreme Court has issued a writ of amparo and habeas data in favor of several cause-oriented organizations earlier tagged by the government as fronts of the communist movement in the country.
In a resolution released on Thursday, the SC ordered the government to file on or before June 13, its comment through a verified return to the petition filed by Karapatan Alliance Philippines Inc., Rural Missionaries of the Philippines Inc. and General Assembly of Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action Inc.
The petitioners are seeking court protection against threats to the lives, liberty and security of their members through a writ of amparo.
Writ of Amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security has been violated or under threat while the writ of habeas data is a remedy available to any person whose right to privacy in life, liberty or security has been violated or under threat by the unlawful gathering of information about the person, his or her family and home.
The groups asked the SC to compel the government to disclose and destroy all files or records gathered against their members through a writ of habeas data.
Earlier, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers filed a similar petition which the Court also granted.
The case is currently with the Court of Appeals for presentation of evidence.