Case Digest (G.R. No. 178920)
Facts:
SPO2 Geronimo Manalo, SPO2 Leo Morcilla, PO3 Rico M. Landicho, PO2 Romeo Medalla, Jr., SPO2 William Relos, Jr., P/Insp. Roberto N. Marinda, Petitioners v. Hon. PNP Chief Oscar Calderon, Hon. P/Dir. Geary Barias, Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, Camp Crame, Hon. Regional Director, Police Chief Supt. Nicasio J. Radovan, Hon. Police Sr. Supt. Aaron Deocares Fidel, Hon. Police Sr. Supt. Luisito De Leon, Respondents, G.R. No. 178920, October 15, 2007, the Supreme Court Third Division, Reyes, J., writing for the Court.On May 15, 2007, at about 3:00 a.m., unknown armed men burned Polling Precinct 76-A at Barangay Pinagbayanan Elementary School in Taysan, Batangas, killing a teacher acting as election supervisor and a poll watcher and injuring several others. Subsequent investigation produced eyewitness identifications that implicated several members of the PNP Regional Special Operations Group (PRO 4A‑RSOG); the initial report also found that some of the questioned officers failed to timely respond to the incident.
In response, the PNP issued three memoranda (May 18, May 22, and June 28, 2007) ordering relief from unit assignments, reassignment to Regional Headquarters Support Group, and restrictive measures: monitoring of all movements within camp, one‑on‑one escort when outside camp “as situation warrants,” and maintenance of a logbook recording destinations, escorts and estimated times of departure and return. Petitioners were detailed at Camp Vicente Lim under that restrictive‑custody/monitoring regime and contend that they were effectively confined to camp and denied rights enjoyed by ordinary citizens.
Petitioners filed a petition for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus on August 7, 2007, challenging the legality of their restrictive custody and seeking release. The Court required respondents to comment. The Office of the Solicitor General informed the Court that by Memorandum Order of August 30, 2007, ...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Should the Court dismiss the habeas corpus petition as moot because the challenged restrictive custody orders were recalled?
- Were petitioners unlawfully detained or restrained of their liberty by the PNP’s restrictive custody and mo...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
- (Pro-only)
Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)