It’s been 26 years since labor leader Rolando Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay were found murdered in Antipolo, Rizal. Both men were so badly mutilated Olalia was identified only through a scar in his leg.
The murders were widely seen at the time as a prelude to the coup plot code-named “God Save the Queen,” suspected to have been hatched by members of the right-wing Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa. The coup plot in November 1986 marked the break between the revolutionary government of Corazon Aquino and the RAM members who were initially hailed as heroes of the 1986 people power revolt. God Save the Queen also led to the ouster of Juan Ponce Enrile as Aquino’s defense chief.
It took 12 years before a former sergeant implicated RAM members in the twin murders. RAM leader Gregorio Honasan denied involvement, and investigators could not directly link him to the atrocity. But the other RAM member often seen by his side in the heady days after the 1986 revolt was indicted. Former Air Force Lt. Col. Eduardo “Red” Kapunan surrendered last Oct. 6 to the Philippine Army as the Antipolo regional trial court resumed trial of the case. Kapunan is one of only two of the 13 accused in the case who are in government custody.
The trial resumed after the Supreme Court ruled with finality that the Antipolo court could try the case. The SC dismissed arguments that amnesty granted by the Ramos administration to soldiers involved in coup attempts against Corazon Aquino “extinguished” their criminal liability.
Twenty-six years is a long time; for the families and friends of Olalia and Alay-ay, the wait for justice has been interminable. With the resumption of the trial, those handling the case should try to speed up the wheels of justice.