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Saturnino C. Ocampo Vs. Hon. Ephrem S. Abando, et al./Randall B. Echanis Vs. Hon. Thelma Bayuni-Medina etc., et al./Rafael G. Baylosis Vs. Hon. Thelma Bayuni-Medina etc., et al./Vicente P. Ladlad Vs. Hon. Thelma Bayuni-Medina etc., et al.

SATURNINO C. OCAMPO, Petitioner, vs. HON. EPHREM S. ABANDO, in his capacity as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Hilongos, Leyte, Branch 18, CESAR M. MERIN, in. his capacity as Approving Prosecutor and Officer-in-Charge, ROSULO U. VIVERO, in his capacity as Investigating Prosecutor, RAUL M. GONZALEZ, in his capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice, Respondents. G.R. No. 176830 _____________________________ RANDALL B. ECHANIS, Petitioner, vs. HON. THELMA BUNYl-MEDINA, in her capacity as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of 1"1anila, Branch 32, HON. EPHREM S. ABANDO, in his capacity as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Hilongos, Leyte, Branch 18, CESAR M. MERIN, in his capacity as Approving Prosecutor and Offict-r-inCharge, ROSULO U. VIVERO, in his capacity as Investigating Prose~utor, RAUL M. GONZALEZ, m his capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice, Respondends. G .R. No. 185587 _____________________________ RAFAEL G. BAYLOSIS, Petitioner, vs. HON. THELMA BUNYI-MEDINA, in her capacity as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 32, HON. EPHREM S. ABANDO, in his capacity as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Hilongos, Leyte, Branch 18, CESAR M. MERIN, in his capacity as Approving Prosecutor and Officer-inCharge, ROSULO U. VIVERO, in his capacify as Investigating Prosecutor, RAUL M. GONZALEZ, m his capacity as Secretary of the Department of Justice, Respondents. G .R. No. 185636 _____________________________ VICENTE P. LADLAD, Petitioner, vs. HON. THELMA BUNYI-MEDINA, in her capacity as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 32, and the PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents. G .R. No. 190005

G.R. No. 176830/G.R. No. 185587/G.R. No. 185636/G.R. No. 190005 | 2014-02-11

EN BANC

DECISION

SERENO, CJ:

On 26 August 2006, a mass grave was discovered by elements of the 43rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army at Sitio Sapang Daco, Barangay Kaulisihan, Inopacan, Leyte.1 The mass grave contained skeletal remains of individuals believed to be victims of “Operation Venereal Disease” (Operation VD) launched by members of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP/NPA/NDFP) to purge their ranks of suspected military informers.

While the doctrine of hierarchy of courts normally precludes a direct invocation of this Court’s jurisdiction, we take...