Two Aeta tribesmen, who have been charged with violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the implementation of the law until the legal disputes are settled with finality.
It was not known if their petition for intervention would be included in today’s oral arguments on the 37 cases lodged against ATA for its alleged unconstitutionality.
The arrest and the filing of charges against Aeta tribesmen Japer Gurung of Sitio Lumibao, Barangay Buhawen, San Marcelino, Zambales and Junor Ramos of Porac, Pampanga have earlier been manifested before the SC in one of the petitions.
They were charged with violation of ATA before the Olongapo City regional trial court (RTC) last year and have been detained at the Olongapo City jail.
They filed their petition through the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL).
On top of asking the SC to stop the enforcement of the law, Gurung and Ramos asked the High Court to nullify ATA under Republic Act No. 11479.
They told the SC” “We have suffered a direct personal injury for being charged and detained under a vague and void law.”
“If the assailed law will be upheld, we will have to endure trial for a prohibited conduct of which they were not appraised, since we were neither committing any acts of terrorism nor part of a terrorist organization or association when we were arrested,” they said.
Published reports stated that Gurong and Ramos, and several other Aetas, were accosted by elements of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army last Aug. 21.
They were accused of taking part in the firefight against the military with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA). The firefight resulted in the death of one of the military men.