4 freed civilians in Makati siege opt to spend night in jail

Four of the 14 civilians in the November 29 Makati siege who were freed by the court on Thursday have opted to stay at least one more night at the detention facility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Robert Reyes, known in the Philippines as the “running priest," said that he wanted to stay “in solidarity" with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and the Magdalo soldiers who will remain in detention at the PNP’s custodial center. "Even though I am free to leave the prison that has been my home for two weeks, I and several other civilians who had been released had chosen to spend the evening until tomorrow in fellowship and solidarity with the patriotic soldiers who will endure detention for the people's deepest aspirations and dreams," he said in a statement read by his lawyer Luke Espiritu. Those expected to stay at the center with Reyes are lawyers Jayvee Bautista and Argee Guevarra, and Julian Advincula. An earlier report identified the fourth civilian as Francisco Peñaflor instead of Advincula. The 14 had been detained at the custodial center since November 30, a night after they were arrested at The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City after the takeover of the establishment led by Trillanes and his group. Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court on Thursday junked the rebellion charges filed against the civilians. Reyes said he would say a mass for the soldiers before he leaves at 2 p.m., Friday. Earlier released on humanitarian grounds were former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr, Francisco Nemenzo Jr, former University of the Philippines president, Julio Labayen, former bishop of Infanta, Quezon, and actress-writer Bibeth Orteza. "Well-treated sila sa loob. Maraming mga visitors who provided them everything they need (They were well-treated inside. They had visitors who provided them everything they need)," Espiritu said when asked how the civilians were treated. Earlier, lawyer Ernesto Francisco said the 10 civilians expected to be released anytime Thursday evening included Myrna Buendia, Dominador Rull Jr., Romeo Solis, Ruel Gadon, Rommel Rivero, Franciso Bosi, Theodore dela Cruz, Antonio Trillanes III, Sonny Madarang, and Advincula. - GMANews.TV