Cebu court allows Tiamzons to post bail

Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army chief Benito Tiamzon (left) and his wife, Wilma (right). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY—The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 29 in Toledo City has allowed Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, the alleged top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), to post bail in time for the resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Philippine government in Norway.

The Tiamzon couple were among the 22 NDFP consultants who will participate in the peace talks in Oslo Aug. 20-27.

In a 10-page order, Judge Ruben Altubar set the couple’s bail at P100,000 each for charges of illegal possession of firearms for their temporary liberty.

“Their provisional liberty shall only be for the purpose of their attendance and participation in the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, commencing in August 2016 up to six months thereafter, or as soon as the peace negotiations are concluded or terminated, whichever is earlier,” Altubar said.

The couple were also required to provide the court contact information both in the Philippines and in Norway and to report to the Philippine Embassy in Norway.

The bail bond will be deemed terminated after their role in the peace talks is over.

The couple may post bail at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 which had earlier allowed them to post bail and participate in the peace negotiations while on trial for multiple murder case.

The Tiamzon couple have been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, following their arrest in Cebu in April 2014.

Altubar took into consideration the Aug. 6 decision of the Supreme Court which rejected the request of the Duterte administration to release all NDFP leaders who would attend the peace talks.

The high tribunal said it did not have jurisdiction on the other NDF consultants who were facing various charges in various courts.

Instead, the Supreme Court asked the lower courts to give “utmost priority” to hearing similar motions and manifestation “in view of the grave importance of peace to the Filipino people.”

The Tiamzon couple have also been charged with murder and frustrated murder at the  RTC in Laoang town, Northern Samar, and  kidnapping and serious illegal detention at the RTC in Quezon City, Branch 216. These courts, however, are likely to grant bail to the couple as well.