MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has absolved former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of any liability in the 2009 abduction and torture of a member of a peasant organization affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipines (KMP).

Also cleared by the SC were Chief Supt. Ameto G. Tolentino, Senior Supt. Jude W. Santos, George Palacpac, Antonio Cruz, Aldwin Pasicolan and Vincent Callagan.

The SC resolution was written by Justice Ma. Lourdes P. Sereno, one of the three appointees of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the 15-member High Court. The other appointees are Justices Bienvenido Reyes and Estela Perlas Bernabe.

Mrs. Arroyo, now a member of Congress representing the second district of Pampanga, was cleared in the abduction and torture of Noriel Rodriguez, a member of the Alyansa Dagiti Mannalon Iti Cagayan, a group affiliated with KMP.

But the SC resolution directed the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice to take appropriate action on the possible liability of respondents Gen. Victor Ibrado, Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, Maj. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, Brig. Gen. Remegio De Vera, 1st Lt. Ryan Matutina, and Lt. Col. Laurence Mina.

“In the event that herein respondents no longer occupy their respective posts, the directives mandated in this decision and in the Court of Appeals are enforceable against the incumbent officials holding the relevant positions,” the SC said.

The Ombudsman and the DoJ were directed “to submit to this Court the results of their action within a period of six months from receipt of this decision, and failure to comply shall constitute contempt of court.”