Due to technicality, the Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the petition for writ of amparo filed by a female Filipino-American freelance journalist based in Pampanga against Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Verzosa and some law enforcers in the province.

In a petition she filed last month, Maribel Langley-Van Keulen accused the respondents of harassing her for stories she wrote about their alleged involvement in illegal activities.

Besides Verzosa, other respondents include Senior Supt. Pierre Bucsit and Chief Inspectors Ronaldo Lorenzo and Kenneth Vega and several other Pampanga-based police officers.

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

However, the High Court, in its en banc resolution dated October 13, 2009, ruled that Langley failed to submit to the court a proof that a copy of her petition was served to the respondents.

A proof of service document must be attached to all documents filed with the court, it said.

“In accordance with Rule 56 and other related provisions of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amendment, governing original cases filed with the Supreme Court, only petitions which are accompanied by or which comply strictly with the requirements specified therein shall be entertained,” the SC said.