'Olalia slay case remains unsolved'

MANILA, Philippines - The killing of labor leader Rolando Olalia has remained unsolved despite the surrender of one of the suspects, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said yesterday.

The labor group expressed suspicion that suspect Desiderio Perez surrendered in a bid to cover up for the real accused in the murder case.

“The circumstances that surround the legal proceedings make us doubt the courts’ and the government’s sincerity. We fear that these are being undertaken to clear the names of the accused,” KMU chairperson Elmer Labog said.

According to Labog, they have every reason to doubt the motives of these legal proceedings especially now that Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregorio Honasan are identified with the Aquino government.

He said Enrile and his protegé, who is a leader of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabayan or RAM, are now allies of the President after voting for the impeachment of former chief justice Renato Corona last May.     

“Clearing the names of their comrades in RAM may be the payback for their roles in the Corona impeachment,” Labog said.

Other accused in the case were RAM members Eduardo Kapunan Jr., Oscar Legaspi, Filomeno Maligaya, Cirilo Almario, Jose Bacera, Fernando Casanova, Ricardo Dicon, Gilbert Galicia, Dennis Jabatan, Gene Paris, Freddie Sumagaysay and Edgar Sumido, according to Labog.

Labog said justice remains elusive for their former leader after 26 years.

He urged President Aquino to solve the killing of Olalia and his aide Leonor Alay-ay.