PINOY WEEKLY | Labor group slams granting of bail to Olalia-Alay-ay murder suspect

Posted: 30 Oct 2013 11:22 AM PDT

Workers still seek justice for their murdered leader, Ka Lando Olalia (Macky Macaspac/PW file photo)

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) condemned an Antipolo Regional Trial Court judge for granting the bail petition of the principal suspect in the murder of labor leader and former KMU chairperson Rolando “Ka Lando” Olalia and his aide Leonor “Ka Leonor” Alay-ay in Nov. 13, 1987.

Judge Ma. Consejo Gengos-Ignalaga of Antipolo RTC Branch 98 granted a Php400,000 bail for principal suspect ex-Col. Red Kapunan on Tuesday, October 29.

Ignalaga ruled that the evidence against Kapunan is not strong, and therefore entitling him to post bail. But the court denied the petition of two other subordinates of Kapunan.

“Ignalaga’s act paves the way for the acquittal of Kapunan and the clearing of the names of people who were higher than him in the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) chain of command, people who masterminded the murder of our comrades Olalia and Alay-ay – namely, senators Gringo Honasan and Juan Ponce Enrile,” said Elmer Labog, KMU chairperson.

Labog said that the ruling favors only the elite and military personnel who commit human rights violations.
“The justice system remains corrupt despite Pres. Noynoy Aquino’s promises of change,” he said.

KMU said they hold President Aquino accountable for the said ruling and accused the president of using the same approach of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in favoring a “publicity war over corruption” while remaining silent on human rights violations.

“It is disgusting that Aquino seems intent to clear the names of people responsible for one of the most prominent crimes and human rights violations committed under his mother’s presidency,” Labog said.

Labog said that even as Aquino struggles with Enrile and others involved in the P10-Billion pork barrel scam, he is united with Enrile over the latter’s human rights violations.