Court dismisses murder charges against arrested labor organizer

A Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Regional Trial Court on Tuesday dismissed the murder charges leveled against labor organizer Roderick Mamuyac.

JUST IN:,Roderick,Mamuyac,is set free, court dismisses murder complaint day after his arrest with NDFP consultant Ariel Arbitrario @gmanews pic.twitter.com/uCbynAafbe

— Cedric Castillo (@cedric_castillo) February 7, 2017

Kilusang Mayo Uno Southern Mindanao secretary general Carlo Olalo said that the witness presented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines was unable to prove that Mamuyac was a member of the New People's Army.

"Walang basehan yung witness ng Armed Forces of the Philippines na yung alleged nila na yung staff namin sa Kilusang Mayong Uno (Mamuyac) is one of the member of NPA. Tingin namin dapat ang gobyernong Duterte dapat ipagpatuloy ang usapang pangkapayapaan," Olalo said.

Mamuyac was arrested Monday, along with National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Ariel Arbitrario, at a checkpoint in Davao City.

Commitment order

Arbitrario is meanwhile detained at the Compostela Valley Provincial Jail in Tagum City.

NDFP consultant Ariel Arbitrario is returned to ComVal provincial jail in Tagum City for his multiple murder case. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/9LPrvSCFbu

— Cedric Castillo (@cedric_castillo) February 7, 2017

GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" reported that the courts on Monday had issued a commitment order against Arbitrario over murder and illegal possession of firearms cases.

Arbitrario had been allowed to post bail last year so he could participate in the peace talks with the government.

Abitrario insisted the government had failed to follow due process in his arrest, arguing that he had posted bail. Also, the safe conduct pass issued him had not expired since the peace talks had not been  formally terminated when he was arrested.

"Yung proseso naman talaga bago. Kailangan i-revoke tapos mag-issue uli ng warrant tapos saka ka i-commit kasi kailangan i-hear yan e. Kailangan living body yung nandon sa korte bago mag-issue ng commitment order," Abitratio said.

The courts will hear Arbitrario's motion to quash on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Mamuyac and Arbitrario's driver, Rosario Sinday, who had also been arrested, were released Monday evening. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/DVM/KG, GMA News