NBI won't free Quirino grandson sans court order

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is still waiting for the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) to order the release of businessman Luisito Quirino Gonzales after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed murder charges filed against him for the death of businessman Federico Delgado.

Gonzales is the stepbrother of Delgado, son of shipping magnate Francisco Delgado.

Court staff working under RTC Branch 32 Judge Thelma Bunyi Medina said the government and private prosecutors submitted before 5 p.m. yesterday their comments on a petition filed by Gonzales, a grandson of the late former President Elpidio Quirino, asking for his immediate release from the NBI detention cell.

Medina’s staff said she has to issue a resolution on Gonzales’ petition before any release order can be granted.

Ruel Lasala, NBI deputy director for intelligence services, said “there is a procedure to be followed. Since the Manila RTC was the one which issued the warrant, it has to recall its warrants and order us to release Gonzales.” – Sandy Araneta