Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

MANILA -  A Filipino-American freelance journalist based in Pampanga has filed a petition for a writ of amparo with the Supreme Court seeking a protection order against law enforcers in the province.

In a six-page petition, Maribel Langley-Van Keulen alleged that she was harassed by police officials in the province after she wrote a series of exposés on corruption related to human trafficking and prostitution.

Langley said that since 2003, she had been the subject of harassment – extortion, physical violence, false charges and surveillance – because of stories that she developed in connection with police corruption and prostitution in Angeles City.

“From the foregoing, it is very clear that there is a pattern of abuse and curtailment of petitioner’s right to freedom of speech,” read the petition filed by her lawyer, Renato Zosimo Evangelista.

“There is also a clear indication that the acts affecting the curtailment of petitioner’s rights are perpetrated by the respondents through overt action and/or omission by failing to give the protection to a citizen in need of their services,” the petition said.

Named respondents were Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, Senior Superintendent Pierre Bucsit, Chief Inspector Ronaldo Lorenzo, Chief Inspector Kenneth Vega, and several other Pampanga-based police officers.

Also named respondent were National Bureau of Investigation-Central Luzon Regional Director Rustico Vilgilia and supposed NBI asset Alexander Palo-palo.

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