'Reopen Olalia murder case'

MANILA, Philippines - Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) has called on President Aquino to order the reopening of the murder case of labor leader Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay.

In a statement, KMU chairperson Elmer Labog expressed confidence that justice is possible for the families of Olalia and Alay-ay “with the wind of justice prevailing in the country.”

“Just like the Philip Pestaño case, we are confident that the government will also move for the reopening of the Olalia murder case which, hopefully, would lead to the arrest and conviction of the accused,” Labog said.

Olalia and Alay-ay were found dead in Antipolo, Rizal on Nov. 13, 1986. The scar on Olalia’s leg was the only identifying mark that confirmed the labor leader’s death.

Members of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa, including Lt. Col. Eduardo “Red” Kapunan Jr., Oscar Legaspi, Capt. Ricardo Dicon, Sgts. Edgar Sumido, Dennis Jabatan, Gene Paris, Freddie Sumagaysay, Fernando Casanova, Desiderio Perez and Jose Bacera, Chief Petty Officers Cirilo Almario and Filomeno Maligaya and civilian informer Gilberto Garcia, were charged with murder in connection with Olalia’s death.

Kapunan and Legaspi, filed separate motions to dismiss the charges against them, saying the amnesty proclamation issued by former President Fidel Ramos to rebel soldiers “extinguished their criminal liability.”

The Supreme Court ordered the filing of murder charges against Kapunan and Legaspi, but the Antipolo City Regional Trial Court has yet to raffle the case.