ISAF hit for ‘delaying tactics’ on detainees

Supporters of 12 activists held by the military on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives were dismayed yesterday when the military begged off from a court hearing that would have given the detainees temporary liberty.

"This is clearly a delaying tactic," said Sonia Sotto, spokeswoman for the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD). "They could only offer the flimsiest of reasons."

Quezon City Judge Rose Marie Alonzo-Legasto had issued a summons to the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) to bring the detainees to court for hearing at 3:30 p.m. so that the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) could post bail for the activists’ temporary liberty.

The ISAFP demurred, sending a representative to court to inform the judge that they could not comply with her order because adequate security escorts and transportation were unavailable.

The judge earlier granted a motion for a reduction of bail filed by FLAG lawyers on behalf of 12 activists held by the military on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

"(The) supplemental motion to reduce bail is hereby granted," said Legasto in a two-page order she signed last Oct. 3. The judge agreed to reduce the P280,000 bail she had earlier set for the temporary liberty of each of the arrested members of KPD to only P200,000.