CHR hopes remaining 9 accused in Olalia, Alay-ay murder case will be held accountable

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday expressed hope that the remaining nine accused in the killing of labor leader Rolando “Ka Lando” Olalia and his driver Leonor Alay-ay would be brought to account.

CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia issued the remark after an Antipolo court on Tuesday sentenced former soldiers Desiderio Perez, Dennis Jabatan, and Fernando Casanova to up to 40 years in prison, 35 years after the murders took place.

Perez, Jabatan, and Casanova were members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), a group of military officers who rebelled against the Marcos and Corazon Aquino administrations.

“Though justice may have appeared to have been long-winded and at times elusive, their conviction is nonetheless a welcome action from the Philippine justice system in exacting accountability for the cruel crimes perpetrated,” she said in a statement.

“We hope that in the coming days, the remaining accused members of RAM will be brought to account,” she added.

A total of 13 RAM members were charged with two counts of murder. Three were convicted, one was exonerated, and nine remain at large.

Lawyer Rolando Rico Olalia, one of the children of Ka Lando, identified the other suspects as Cirilo Almario, Jose Bacera, Ricardo Dicon, Gilbert Galicia, Oscar Legaspi, Filomen Maligaya, Gene Paris, Freddie Sumagaysay and Edger Sumido.

In a statement, the Olalia family stressed that the fight for justice is not yet over, saying that only when all accused and unnamed principals are brought before the courts will justice be served.

"Our victory today has only stiffened our resolve to never abandon our search for the remaining 9 men involved in our father’s brutal killing," the family said.— VBL, GMA News