Kapunan transferred to NBI custody

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Army transferred yesterday to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) the custody of former Col. Eduardo “Red” Kapunan Jr., who was tagged in the killing of labor leader Rolando Olalia and his driver, Leonor Alay-ay, in 1986.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the transfer was based on the commitment order issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 98 of Antipolo City. He said Kapunan was turned over to Arnold Lazaro, chief of the NBI Security Management Division, at around 3:20 p.m.

Cabunoc said the military is ready to explain to the court why it should not be held in contempt for not moving Kapunan to a provincial jail. The Army no longer has jurisdiction over the former colonel since he is no longer in military service.

“That’s part of the procedure so we must comply. The legal officer will submit the explanation letter upon receipt of the order from the court requiring him to explain,” he said.

Kapunan, a leader of the rightist group Reform the Armed Forces Movement, surrendered to the Army last Oct. 6. He is one of the principal suspects in the double murder case before the Antipolo regional trial court in connection with the abduction and murder of Olalia and his driver.

Other respondents in the case were ex-military officers and RAM members Oscar Legaspi, Capt. Ricardo Dicon, Sgts. Edgar Sumido, Dennis Jabatan, Gene Paris, Freddie Sumagaysay, Fernando Casanova, Desiderio Perez and Jose Bacera, Chief Petty Officers Cirilo Almario and Filomeno Maligaya and civilian informer Gilberto Garcia.