THE Supreme Court has taken cognizance of a petition filed by Filipina-American activist Melissa Roxas seeking to hold several military officials responsible for her alleged abduction and torture in 2009.

The SC stressed that while the  Commission on Human Right's investigation failed to identify those behind her abduction, her petition for the issuance of a writ of amparo and habeas data against key military officials should not be dismissed since police investigation is still ongoing.

"Dismissing the case right now may send the wrong message that any further inquiries as to the abduction and torture of petitioner must ipso facto (by the fact itself) be considered closed or terminated. It must be emphasized that the respondents, or their successors, remain accountable, even though still not found to be responsible," the Court pointed out.

Roxas named  former  President Arroyo, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado, former Philippine National Police Director Jesus Versoza, ex-Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit and Tarlac  provincial police director P/Supt. Rudy  Gamido Lacadin  as respondents in her petition.

The SC issued the resolution after the Court of Appeals recommended the dismissal of the case noting that the field investigations have failed to ascertain the identities of Roxas’ abductors.

On the other hand, the SC granted the recommendation of the appellate court to conduct a summary hearing to require the personal appearance of the confidential witnesses interviewed by the CHR and affirm their allegations under oath.

The witnesses, which include rebel-returnees, asked that their identities be kept secret from the general public in order to avoid possible reprisal from the persons or group of persons they would implicate.