BY BULATLAT
Posted 7:23 p.m., July 16, 2008

The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the petition for the writ of habeas data filed by the mother of two sisters held by the Philippine Army.

Maria Gumanoy’s daughters Fatima, 17, and Rose Ann, 21, have been in military custody since July 3. In a statement, Col. Ernesto Torres of the Philippine Army Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio claimed that the two have willingly sought their help.

In an interview, Atty. Ephraim Cortez, counsel for Maria Gumanoy, expressed disappointment over the decision of Justices Sesinando Villon, Jose Catral Mendoza and Andres Reyes.

Cortez related that during the cross-examination, Fatima disclosed that women soldiers who identified themselves only as Weng and as Arcel have closely guarded them. He maintained that the siblings are held as prisoners for they are staying in a military facility. “In this light, there are vices of consent,” he said. He explained that Fatima’s circumstances have affected her decision. Cortez said that Fatima decided to stay with her sister.

Maria said, “Nalilito na si Fatima” (Fatima is confused). She lamented that she was not given the chance to talk to her daughter privately. She was not also asked to take the witness stand at this morning’s hearing.

Cortez said that he moved to defer the examination of Fatima, saying that an expert should first determine the psychological state of the latter. The justices refused. The justices also denied his request that Maria and her daughters be given time to talk to each other.(Bulatlat.com)

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