This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VII, No. 6 March 11 - 17, 2007
BY
Rep. Satur Ocampo
of Bayan Muna Party (People First) was arrested this afternoon, March
16, after filing a petition before the Supreme Court for certiorari, and
for immediate and unconditional release or protective custody with the
House of Representatives or any religious institution. The warrant of
arrest was served by Supt. Eduardo Sierra, chief of the Criminal
Investigation and Detection Unit of the Manila Police District, was
issued by Judge Ephraim Abando of Branch 18 of the Regional Trial Court
of Hilongos, province of Leyte, March 5, for the alleged murders in a
purported purge of at least 62 members of the Maoist New People’s Army (NPA)
in Inopacan, Leyte in 1984. Ocampo also filed a filed a petition for
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) of the local court’s proceedings.
Ocampo was
accompanied by his wife Bobbie Malay, former Vice Pres. Teofisto
Guingona, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, senatorial candidate Koko Pimentel, and
Rep. Teddy Casino also of Bayan Muna when he was brought to the Western
Police District Headquarters at U.N. Avenue, Manila in Guingona’s car.
He was brought to the Office of the District Director of the WPD.
Ocampo’s lawyer,
Romeo Capulong said that his client’s case is a matter of national
concern being a case of political persecution. He, therefore, is hoping
that the Supreme Court would act on the case immediately. Meanwhile, the
High Court agreed to raffle the case this afternoon in spite of the fact
that it is a Friday and past office hours. The Supreme Court
later issued a ruling ordering the respondents in the case to submit
their comments on his petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO).
The oral arguments for the case are set for March 23. Neri Javier Colmenares, one
of Ocampo’s lawyers, said the March 23 hearing would be “moot and academic” if
Ocampo remains in police custody. But Supt. Hospicio Guevarra, chief of the
WPD’s General Assignments Division where Ocampo is being held, insisted that
Ocampo has to remain in police custody at least until March 23. Bulatlat
© 2006 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
(UPDATED)
Posted 7:10 p.m. March 16, 2007