Court orders gov't to comment on Vic Ladlad's plea for urgent medical attention

A Manila court has ordered the Department of Justice to comment on National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Vicente Ladlad's motion to be given urgent medical attention.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 on Friday gave government prosecutors 24 hours to file its comment or opposition to the request of the activist, who his lawyer, Chel Diokno, says has several ailments.

Ladlad faces charges for 15 counts of multiple murder in connection with the killing of New People's Army cadres suspected of being government spies in 1985.

His defense is that he was detained at Camp Nakar in Lucena City, and not in Leyte, when the killings happened.

Ladlad was arrested in November 2018 for what police said was illegal possession of firearms and explosives, evidence that his wife, Fides, said was planted.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan denounced the arrest, saying it was an attack in relation with suspended peace negotiations between the government and communist groups.

Meanwhile, the same Manila court gave former Bayan Muna party-list representative Satur Ocampo, who is also accused of murder, to file his comment or opposition to prosecutors' motion for an order for his recommitment within 10 days.

The motions will be considered submitted for resolution after the comments are filed, according to the court order. —NB, GMA News