However, Arcilla said that the dismissal of the cases did not stop the AFP from vilifying her organization. One of her colleagues is implicated in a separate murder case.
“This is a clear manifestation of how hell-bent the AFP are in targeting human rights defenders because they know that we let the public know they are the real perpetrators of human rights violations in the country,” Arcilla said.
Just Compensation
In the complaint filed by Arcilla before the Regional trial Court in Cebu City, she mentioned that the amount of the damages she is claiming is a way of vindication for the undue sufferings they have caused and the wanton invasion of her rights. Moreover, she also mentioned that it is also a compensation for the hurt caused by the military elements’ highly reprehensible conduct in filing false and groundless suits against her.
The P500,000 ($10,550) in damages include P300,000 ($6,330) for moral damages, P100,000 ($2,110) for exemplary damages and P100,000 ($2,110) as attorney’s fees.
In the perjury case, Arcilla said, the soldiers violated Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6713 that reads:
Norms and Conducts of Public Officials and Employees- (A) Every public official and employees shall observe the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official duties: (C) Justness and Sincerity- Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest.
In the complaint letter, it is mentioned that all elements of perjury are present in the case such as the deliberate assertion of falsehood by the soldiers by implicating Arcilla in the fabricated crime of murder.
“Considering the merits of our case and supposing there is just and impartial trial, we will win this case but taking the history in consideration, not a single perpetrator of rights violations has been put to jail,” Arcilla said. (Bulatlat.com)
