BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The top communist leader in Ilocos and the Cordilleras was released from his detention cell at Camp Crame last Friday after an Abra court dismissed for “utter lack of evidence” the murder, frustrated murder and rebellion charges filed against him in connection with the 1999 killing of his brother, former priest-turned-paramilitary leader Conrado Balweg.
Judge Corpus Alzate of Regional Trial Court Branch 2 said he found insufficient evidence to pin down Jovencio Balweg Sr. in his brother’s killing.
“No evidence was presented (by the prosecution) to show his participation thereof, except only in so far as he was present at an assembly of alleged CPP-NPA leaders in the area where Conrado Balweg was killed and it was announced that the assassination was carried out upon orders of the high command,” Alzate said.
Right after Conrado Balweg’s killing on Dec. 30, 1999, the New People’s Army’s Chadli Molintas Command said he was assassinated because of his “blood debts,” including his deserting the CPP-NPA.