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Court dismisses case vs. NDFP consultant


A Quezon City court has dismissed illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges against a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant and five others.

According to Ruben Saluta's counsel at the Public Interest Law Center (PILC), the decision dated June 5 by the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City Branch 100 granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Saluta, his wife Presentacion Saluta, and four other individuals.

The court has found "serious doubt in the prosecution evidence and in their chain of custody," adding that there were "discrepancies in the testimony of the seizing officer and the receipt of the property seized with the pieces of evidence actually presented in court."

In a statement, PILC managing counsel Rachel Pastores said that the decision validates their position that "these are trumped-up cases based on planted evidence."

Saluta was nabbed in Caloocan City in 2015 and charged with violating Republic Act No. 6968 or the Anti-Rebellion Act of the Philippines for his role in the New People's Army.

He was released from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City in August 2016. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News

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