Liza Maza breaks silence on arrest order

National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC) Lead Convenor Liza Maza finally broke her silence after she and fellow militant leaders were ordered arrested by the Palayan Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court.

Maza granted a face to face interview in an undisclosed location.

Seemingly relaxed, she admitted she fears for her health as she is on maintenance medicine and should not be under stress.

Maza clarified she is not in hiding and that she is merely taking steps to ensure her safety and security.

“This is a sinister plot na ibalik yung napakatagal nang kaso. Napakalinaw naman na ito ay gawa-gawa lamang kaya ako medyo nag-aalala rin ako dun sa aking kaligtasan, sa aking safety noh. Kaya inaayos naman ng aking abugado yung kaso at yung aming depensa and in the proper time, in the proper forum eh haharapin ko, haharapin namin itong kaso na ito,” Maza says.

Maza went on leave as lead convenor of NAPC after learning that the Palayan Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest on July 11 against her, former Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and former Bayan Muna lawmakers Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño, as well as Eugenia Magpantay, Vicente Cayetano, Delfin Pimentel, Emeterio Antalan and ten other John Does.

The case filed against the respondents was on the alleged murder of supporters of rival partylist group, Akbayan. The court found probable cause to indict them.

The case reached the Supreme Court after the respondents questioned the decision of the Palayan Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court.

Maza vehemently denies the allegation and vows to prove her innocence in court.

“Hindi ako nagtatago, hindi ako fugitive, hindi ako kriminal. Itong kaso na ito ay isang gawa-gawang kaso. This is clearly fabricated. Ang tagal na niyan na yung mga kaso na kasama niyan na-dismiss na nga.”

Maza believes that the now defunct Inter Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) composed of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, which was formed during the term of former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is behind this.

She noted that the people behind this group are in power again.

“Kung may hustisya pang nalalabi sa ating bansa, eh matitiyak at mapapatunayan na kaming apat ay inosente at hindi kami makukulong. “

Maza believes President Rodrigo Duterte has no hand in the arrest order.

She said she was able to talk to Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and asked him about the case and the warrant but said the latter knew nothing about it.

Maza added that it was Go who requested for details from her.

Maza assured the public not to worry as they will face the charges against them.

A hearing is set on Friday at the Palayan RTC.

Maza said she has no contact with her co-accused but said they are used to this situation and are merely thinking about their security.

Maza likewise laughed off the statement made by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that she might end up being cellmates with Senator Leila de Lima.

She also sent a message to President Duterte.

“Mr. President, wala po kaming kasalanan at ito po ay isang gawa-gawang kaso lamang.” — BAP, GMA News