Lower bail for 12 activists asked

Lawyers of 12 activists held by the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives dropped yesterday their bid to have their clients released to the custody of church leaders and legislators.

Instead, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) lawyers filed a supplemental motion to reduce the court-set bail from P280,000 to P200,000 for the temporary liberty of each of the members of the Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) – a move to which prosecutors did not object.

"After some discussion, the prosecution manifested that they would not interpose any objection to the motion," the FLAG lawyers said in their supplemental motion filed with the sala of Branch 99 Judge Rosemarie Legasto, who is trying the case.

Assistant City Prosecutors Alfredo Agcaoili and Rosanna Montojo also did not object to the defense lawyers’ intention to file a surety of property bond.

The judge has yet to rule on the supplemental motion. FLAG lawyers Arno Sanidad, Theodore Te, Jose Manuel Diokno and Gregorio Viterbo Jr. in an urgent omnibus motion, earlier asked the court to either free their clients on recognizance or reduce the bail for the activists’ temporary liberty. They also reserved the right to question the legality of their client’s arrest.

ISAFP agents raided the KPD’s office at 26-F La Salle st., Barangay Silangan, Cubao, Quezon City, two weeks ago on suspicion that the group was plotting to destabilize the Estrada administration. ISAFP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim said his men seized high-powered firearms and explosives during the raid – a claim belied by the FLAG lawyers.

According to the lawyers, military "planted" the incriminating evidence against the activists. – Romel Bagares