MANILA, Philippines – Amid the international attention to the so-called “Morong 43,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday she is set to review the case to determine if the detention and indictment of health workers for illegal possession of grenades and other explosives has legal basis or not.

 De Lima said President Aquino had directed her to review the case of the 43 health workers upon the prodding of various international human rights groups which are seeking the immediate release from detention of the health workers.

After leading the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), the Justice Secretary said she would now focus on the “Morong 43” case amid the prevailing mindset of several international human rights organizations questioning the validity of the arrest and detention.
 
 “The President has directed me to review the Morong 43 case and make recommendations. After the IIRC’s review of the hostage-taking incident, I will focus next on the review of the Morong 43 case,” de Lima told reporters during a press briefing.

Church organizations, relatives and supporters of the Morong 43 held a liturgical gathering for the release of the health workers at the Department of Justice (DoJ) gate on Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila Tuesday.

Representatives sought for an audience from De Lima to reiterate their appeal to review the case and the release of the health workers. 

De Lima said the groups reiterated their appeal to release the health workers. “Basically, they want for review of the case. They said they have doubt as to the arrest and detention and the issue here is the validity of the search warrant on the health workers,” she said.

She said the scope of the review will be the determination of the validity of the arrest and detention of the Morong 43 as well as the basis for the filing of the criminal charges against them.

De Lima, however, admitted that the withdrawal of the case and the release of the health workers depend solely on the discretion of the courts hearing their cases.

 “We will review the case and then we will determine if there is need to file a motion to be filed in court. But it is the discretion of the court whether it will grant our motion or not. It all depends on the court. Everything will depend on the discretion of the court,” she said.

 “I have been receiving emails from international organizations saying that they are interested to this case. The UN Human Rights Council is concern about the Morong 43. There are many international human rights groups which expressed concern to this case whether the arrest and detention have legal basis or not. But as of now I cannot comment. I will review the case. I may affirm, affirm with modification or withdraw the case and it all depends. And then we will file a motion, but it is up to the court to grant or deny our motion,” she said.