The civil suit filed is in connection with alleged human rights abuses, including six cases involving the reported extrajudicial killings of Joel Baclao, Rev. Edison Lapuz, Pastor Andy Pawican, Rev. Raul Domingo, and Noel Noli Capulong, and the alleged abduction, illegal detention and torture of Pastor Berlin Guerrero.



According to UCCP legal counsel Emilio Capulong Jr., there are more members of the church who have reported suffering human rights abuses but only six cases are being put forward for now. Guerrero and the victims' surviving spouses will serve as the co-complainants in the case.


UCCP seeks for the former president and the reported military agents involved to be held accountable for the deaths of 25 of their members since 2001. Capulong added that there were also several UCCP members among the more than 200 victims of enforced disappearances and torture under the Arroyo administration.


“We take action against the relentless persecution and brutalization of the Church especially being labeled enemy of the state through various counter-insurgency operations of the military establishment,” UCCP said.


The group said they are planning to file more charges against the former president soon.


Arroyo and other former allies were earlier accused of the alleged misuse of the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) funds which was said to be used to finance her 2004 presidential campaign.

Arroyo facing legal suits over unresolved killings