In a 2014 interview with Bulatlat, the Tiamzon spouses detailed their political awakening as student activism flourished at the University of the Philippines at the time of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The Tiamzons were severely tortured with witnesses reporting that they "saw how the faces and bodies of the victims were smashed, apparently beaten with hard objects."
Edre Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) and lawyer of Wilma Austria said this is “a politically motivated persecution and hardline attack” as it was resurrected out of nowhere after 30 years.
Set to be the final informal round of negotiations to prepare for the resumption of formal talks at the end of the month, the meeting’s schedule may be affected after both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) have yet to file their comments on the petition for six senior NDFP consultants to travel.
“A unilateral declaration by one side without the proper written notice duly received by the other, no matter how categorical yet at the same unjustified, does not make the grade and does not bind the latter.”
“With the NPA restrained from mounting offensives, the AFP and PNP continue to violate the people’s rights with impunity.”
“There is no reason for them (Tiamzons) not to be released.”
Duterte’s recognition and respect for these previously-signed agreements has opened doors for both the resumption of peace talks and the release of political prisoners through peace talks.”
“We see this as a positive step towards ‘straightening’ rights violations committed against political prisoners and the Filipino people."
“But the main question here is, where did they really find those clothes?”
When Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) arrived at the alleged mass grave site, about six civilians were already digging and skeletal remains and clothes were on the surface.
The dismissal was due to the failure of the prosecution to bring before the court the complainants of the nearly 30-year-old case.
“To continue the judicial proceedings inside a police fortress under very hostile conditions and atmosphere, and beyond open scrutiny is inconsistent with the minimum requirements of due process.”
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During cross examination, the police officer who examined the skeletons of the alleged victims admitted that he arrived at the arrived at the crime scene at least 10 days after the digging at the massacre site began. Those who exhumed the remains, he added, may also be soldiers.
As of Nov. 30, there are 491 political prisoners in the country, based on Karapatan data. Of these, 220 were arrested under President Aquino’s term. There are 53 ailing prisoners, 43 female prisoners, 42 elderly, and six minors.
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Lawyers of the accused filed a motion for reconsideration after Judge Thelma Bunye-Medina of Branch 32 had denied their earlier motion to quash information and to dismiss the case.
“Cha-Cha aiming to extend the term of Aquino and to disempower the Supreme Court poses an immediate threat while economic Cha-Cha poses long-term threats to the welfare of the nation.”
Citing several Supreme Court decisions, the lawyers argued that the charge of rebellion proscribes the filing of other offenses committed in furtherance of or in connection with rebellion.
Not like other personalities from the revolutionary Left such as Prof. Jose Maria Sison. Luis Jalandoni, Coni Ledesma, Fidel Agcaoili, and the late Tony Zumel, Wilma Austria and Benito Tiamzon were never thrust in the limelight, at least before their March 22 arrest. For the general public and the media, they are enigmatic.
Who are they? What is their background? What shaped them to become revolutionaries? How are they as a couple? How do they think and what are their thoughts about the country?
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